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AMERICAN SCENES: 

BEING 

A SELECTION OF THE MOST INTERESTING 

Sttriirntts inAmm(angist0rB, 

TO "WHICH 18 ADDED, 

A HISTORICAL SKETCH OF EACH 

OF THE 

UNITED STATES. 

ALSO, 

% Ckait0togxcal Cable 

OF THE 

EVENTS IN THE LATE WAR, 



WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS. 



By JOHN W. BARBER, 

AUTHOR OF VARIOUS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS, 

And ELIZABETH G. BARBER, 



SOLD ONLY BY SUBSCRIPTION! 




SPRINGFIELD, Mass. 
D. E, FISK & CO. 

1868. " 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868 

By JOHN W. BARBER, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Coon, 



$• 



.0* 



Jt3j 



PREFACE. 



The object of this work, is to present to the reader a 
series of Historical Incidents in American History, (some 
of which may not be generally known,) in an historical, 
pictorial, and poetic form. We are awar 1 that the plan 
of this work differs from any we have yet seen, but we 
natter ourselves that it will be found interesting and in- 
structive. 

In the historical introduction to each of the scenes de- 
scribed, we have aimed at accuracy and simplicity ; in 
the lines that follow, there is, of course, latitude given to 
introduce moral and religious reflections. Whatever we 
have advanced of this nature, we trust will be found 
in accordance with the great and vital principles of 
Christianity. Instead of glorifying mere military he- 
roes, as is too often the case among all nations, we 
have aimed to give prominence to men who practised 
the virtues of Christianity. Such men only are the real 
patriots and nobles of the human race, and such only are 
worthy of lasting remembrance. 

In some instances, in the composition of the stanzas, 
we have not hesitated to use the language, or mode of 
expression used by others, whenever it would forcibly 
convey what we wished to present. Simple illustrations 



of great moral truths have been aimed at, rather than originality 
of thought or elegance of diction. Whatever may be thought 
of the work as a literary production, we have aimed to produce 
strictly an American Book, the influence of which, we trust, 
will be found on the side of "God and humanity," and we be- 
lieve some part of it at least, will, in some form, live, after we, 
father and daughter, have left these mortal scenes. 

J. W. B. 
E. G. B. 
New Haven, Conn. 



Since the decease of the junior compiler of tins work, a large 
portion of it, in its present form, has been added, and now for 
the first time appears in print. A short History of the United 
States is given, together with some account of the Administration 
of each of the Presidents, and a historical sketch of each State, to 
which is prefixed its "armorial bearings," or " coat of arms." 
Changes are occasionally made in these, but it is believed, that, 
with one or two exceptions, they are all represented in their 
present form. The various scenes which have been exhibited 
during our late military contest, will, for a long period, retain 
their prominence in thejmblic mind, and it is therefore believed 
that the Chronological Table in this work, giving the dates, &c, 
of all the important events during war, will prove acceptable to 
the reader. J. W. B. 



CONTENTS 



Page- 

The Pilgrim Fathers, 7 

Ancient Church, Jamestown, 10 
Pocahontas, * - 13 

Massasoit, the Sachem, 16 

The Grave of Lady Fenwick, 18 
First Settlers of Connecticut, 20 
Roger Williams, of R. I. 24 
The Regicide Judges, - 26 
Deliverance of Hadley, 29 

Preservation of Mr. Stoddard, 32 
William Penn, - - 34 
The Salem Martyrs, - 36 
The Indian Reformer, 38 

D'Anville's fleet destroyed, 40 
Count Zinzendorf, - 42 

Rescue of Major Putnam, 46 
True Wife and Mother, 48 

The Mother's voice, - 51 
Col. Boone in Kentucky, 54 
Anthony Benezet, - 56 

Dartmouth College, - 58 
Washington asks pardon, 60 
Gen. Reed refuses bribery, 62 
Passing the Delaware, 64 

Washington at Morristown, 67 
Funeral of Gen. Frazer, 69 

Death of Count Donop, 72 

Death of Baron DeKalb, 75 

Moravian Indian Martyrs, 77 
Prince Gallitzin, - - 80 
Mohawk women Council, 82 
iJajor Campbell's Grave, 85 
The Western Missionary, 88 



Page, 
Perilous passage on the 

Lakes, 90 

Shenandoa, the Oneida chief, 93 
First born on the Reserve, 96 
Judge White's grand-child, 98 
Blessing on New Jersey, 100 
I The perishing Mother, 102 

Church in the Wilderness, 104 
Thanksgiving, - - 106 
Discoveries and Settle- 
ments, - - - 109 
War op the Revolution, 113 
One of Many, - - 117 
Round Tower at Newport, 1 21 
Sickness among Indians, 1 23 
Destruction of the Pequots, 125 
Death of Marquette, - - 127 
Settlers of Granville, O. 129 
Attack on Brookfield, 132 

Destruction of Schenectady, 134 
Dustan Family's escape, 136 
Burial of Rev. Mr. Treat f 138 
Swedish Church in Del. 140 
The Blind Preacher, 142 

New Haven Spectre Ship, 145 
Burial of De Soto, - 1 48 
Chief Justice Marshall, 1 50 
Dr. Franklin and the Cruci- 
fixion - - - 152 
Steuben and Lieut. Gibbons, 154 
Indian Messenger, - 156 

General Herkimer, - 158 
Red Jacket, the Seneca ch'f, 1 60 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 
Two honest men, - 162 

Death of Lieut. Woodward. 1 05 
Tecumseh, the Shawnee 

chief, 168 

"Our Father,' 1 - - 171 
Unionist and Confederate, 173 
Death of Gen. Mitchell, 175 
Iron-clad Monitor, - 177 
Soldier's last Letter, - 179 
Important Events in the 

Secession War, - 181 
Star Spangled Banner, - 196 
The American Hero, - 198 
Patrick Henry, - - 201 
Slave Prayer Meeting, 205 

Dark day in 1780, - - 209 
The ministry sustained, 212 
Earthquake at New Madrid, 214 
Visit of LaFayette, - - 218 
Bunker Hill, - - - 222 
Franklin Oak - - 226 
Joh a licJidolph, - - 228 
KosHuth, Gov. of Hungary, 233 
The Omi tfaken Bucket, 237 
Temperance Reformation, 239 



Pace. 

The Cherokee Mission, 244 
Home, sweet home, - 248 
Gen. Daniel Morgan, - 251 
The Burial at Sea, - - 254 
Daniel Webster, the orator, 256 
John Brown, the abolition- 
ist, 260 
Prince of Wales' visit, - 266 
Passengers remarkably 

saved, - - - 269 
Russian Fleet at N. York, 272 
Dakota Indians, - - -275 
Riot in New York, - - 279 
Inauguration in N. Orleans, 283 
| Anti-Slavery Documents, 288 
Washington's Farewell Ad- 
dress, - - 292 
Months of the Year, - 297 
National Hymn, - - 309 
Outline History, U. S. 313 
Revolutionary War, 327 
Presidential Administra- 
tions, - - - 332 
History of each State, 345 



ERRATA. 

On page "254," for "1833," read " 1853." 
" " "250," " "June 5th," read "April 1st." 




Landing of tho Fathers at Plymouth, 



THE PILGRIM FATHERS. 

The Colony at Plymouth, Mass., was the first permanent Eu- 
ropean settlement in New England. It was planted principally 
tor the sake of the free and undisturbed enjoyment of religious 
liberty. Being persecuted in England, their native country, they 
went to Holland in 1G08, where they remained till they sailed 
for America. Having procurred two small ships, they departed 
from Leyden, after having kept a day of fasting and prayer, with 
Mr. Robinson, their pastor, for God to direct them on their way. 
They proceeded to Plymouth, Eng., one of their ships being con- 
demned, the other, called the May Flower, crowded with passen- 
gers, about one hundred in number, put to sea, September 6th. 
After a long and dangerous passage, they arrived at Cape Cod, 
November 9th. After exploring the country, they finally landed 
at a place they called Plymouth, on the 22d of December, 1R20. 
The anniversary of their landing is celebrated by their descendants 
as a religious festival. 



Dark was the day with storms ! Old ocean rolled 
in foam, and dashed its madd'ning billows on the 
shore. Deep rnoanod the ancient forests to the 



wintry winds. Their naked limbs they stretch 
towards heaven and shiver in the northern blast. 
The green earth, seared by frosts, is stiff with ice, 
and white with snow. 

In by-gone years these western shores were one 
vast wild. The ravening beast, or man more 
savage still, roamed in the forest shade and on the 

misty hill. A snow white sail is seen 

towards the rising sun. A feeble band is on the 
rolling surge. Westward the dove-like sail pursues 
its way. 'Tis like the star of heaven amid the 
shadowy clouds, the harbinger of day. 

A germ of mighty Empire moves within that 
fragile bark. The noblest born of earth are there ; 
the men of soul who go where duty leads, against 
a world in arms. Dauntless in Freedom's holy 
cause, their eye on heaven, they quail not 'neath 
a ty;< nits' power The mighty God alone they fear, 
and him they love. 

They near the icy shore. No rolling drum, nor 
thundering cannon speak them near. Angelic spirits 
hover round, and guard their onward way. The 
ocean Eagle soared above the foaming waves 
to see a sight so strange. The stormy sea in its 
far distant roar, gave forth its note of joy. The 
gently waving pine, with its soft, solemn music, vast 
and deep, murmured a pleasant welcome. 

Amid the forest gloom, far from their father land, 
they stand undaunted. The sea bird's scream, the 
wolf howl, and the yells of savage men around are 
heard. In God's Great Temple, in the open air, 
they call on Him they love, to guard them from the 
dangers pressing nigh. Their prayer is heard. 
They raise their notes of joy. Their music sweet, 
is borne by winds along, and the wild woods repeat 
l heiv hymn of prai e ! 



9 

No glittering mines of gold allured them to this 
distant shore. They sought their wealth above, 
and " Freedom to worship God " on earth. No 
warrior's crown, nor Fame's loud trumpet blast, 
impelled them onward. They sought a brighter, 
yea, a holier, heavenly crown of life, undimmed by 
tears and blood. They sought their honor from 
above, unsoiled, and lasting as eternal years. 

The times of old have rolled away ! the ashes 
of the Pilgrims rest beneath the soil they trod. 
Their spirit lives and broods around. Their sons 
still westward press their way. The forests dark 
and wild, still fall before them. The yellow grain, 
waving in summer glow, and golden corn ripening 
in the autumnal sun, stands thick around. The 
heaven- ward pointing village spire is seen on hill 
and dale. The Star of Empire rises in the mighty 
West! 

Green is the earth o'er the Pilgrim graves, but 
greener and brighter grows their fame. The hate 
of despots can not blast, nor purblind bigot zeal 
tarnish the brightness of their honored names. 
Their record is secure on high : an adamantine 
tower resting on ocean's bed, 'gainst which the an- 
gry surges roar, and foam, and dash in vain ! 

In Freedom's holy cause, our Fathers suffered, 
toiled, and died. The story spreads and widens with 
advancing years. In regions yet unknown, where 
the wild Indian roams, their names will yet be 
known, and their example tell on generations yet 
unborn. A mighty host shall yet arise towards the 
setting sun, on to the broad Pacific sea, who will 
with thrilling accents celebrate that day when the 
Jone Pilgrim band first trod the ice-bound shore ! 

j. w. B. 



10 




Ruins of the Church at Jamestown. 

ANCIENT CHURCH AT JAMESTOWN. 

Jamestown, in Virginia, the first permanent British settlement 
in North America, was founded by Capt. John Smith and his 
companions, May 13th, 1607. The only vestiges of this ancient 
town are the remains of the church steeple or tower, about thirty 
feet in height, and a disordered group of tomb stones. The 
precise date when this church was erected can not now be ascer- 
tained, but it is supposed to have been nearly two hundred and 
forty years since. This place has been the scene of many 
interesting events in the early history of Virginia. 



Old church ! beside thy ruined walls 
The same bright waters flow, 

And still the golden sunlight falls 
On thee, as long ago, 

When first amid the solemn wood, 

Thy walls in stately beauty stood. 



11 



But thou art crumbling to decay, 

This moss grown arch alone 
Tells of the centuries passed away, 

The generations flown ; 
The " dark brown years" with storm and blast, 
A.nd withering blight, have o'er thee passed. 

Where roams the dusky chieftain now 1 

Where blaze the council fires ; 
And where the race of paler brow, 

Virginia's noble sires ? 
The groups who filled yon house of prayer ? 
Echo repeats, and answers " Where ?" 

Lone relic of a by-gone age ; 

The traveler seems to see 
The story traced on History's page, 

Revived again by thee : 
The by-gone years return once more, 
When first the white man trod the shore. 

The gallant ship again has sped, 

Her course the ocean o'er ; 
The snowy sails once more are spread 

By old Powhatan's shore ; 
He seems to see its gallant band 
Tread (he fair soil of this new land. 

He seems to see the group that bowed, 

Old church, to worship here ; 
The stately forms of rulers proud, 



1: 



The gallant cavalier ; 
The flower of England's chivalry, 
Youth, beauty, age and infancy. 

Here Pocahontas kneels again 

To take the holy vow ; 
And here Powhatan with his train 

Of warriors mingles now ; 
And gallant Rolfe, here claims his bride, 
The Indian Princess by his side. 

Old church, the Fathers long have slept, 
They moulder now with thee ; 

Above thine ancient walls have swept 
The waves of Time's broad sea ; 

Of spire and aisle and arch bereft, 

But little now of thee is left. 

So earth at last must pass away, 
Each stately tower and dome ; 

Its castles proud, its ruins gray ; 
All frail as ocean's foam, 

Swept on by Time's resistless sea, 

And lost in vast eternity. 

But humble hearts that gathered here, 

Shall rise in that great day, 
When the Almighty shall appear, 

And earth shall pass away ; 
Above the mighty wreck shall soar 
To live when " time shall be no more." 



E. G B, 



13 

POCAHONTAS. 

In the preceding stanzas, the marriage of Pocahontas 
with Mr. Rolfe is introduced. The following account 
of this Indian princess, is from Allen's American Bio- 
graphical Dictionary. 

" Pocahontas, daughter of Powhattan, emperor of the Indians 
of Virginia, was born about the year 1595. When Captain Smith 
was taken prisoner in 1607, and it was determined that he should 
be put to death, his head was placed upon two large stones at the 
feet of Powhattan, that a number of Indians, who stood ready with 
lifted clubs, might beat out his brains. At this moment, Pocahon- 
tas rushed to the spot and placed her own head upon his. From 
regard to his daughter, the savage king spared his life. In 1609, 
when but fourteen years of age, she went to Jamestown, in a dreary 
night, and unfolded to Captain Smith a plot, which the Indians had 
formed for the extermination of the English, and thus at the hazard 
of her life saved them from destruction. In 1612, after Captain 
Smith left the colony, she was, for a bribe of a copper kettle, be- 
trayed into the hands of Captain Argal, and detained a prisoner, 
that better terms of peace might be made with her father. He 
offered five hundred bushels of corn for his daughter, but before 
this negotiation was completed, a different and more interesting 
one had commenced. A mutual attachment had sprung up be- 
tween her and Mr. Thomas Rolfe, an Englishman of good charac- 
ter, and with the consent of Powhattan they were married. This 
event restored peace, and secured it for many years. Pocahontas 
eoon made a profession of Christianity and was baptized. In 1616 
she accompanied her husband to England, where she was received 
with distinction at court. It is said, that king James expressed 
great indignation, that one of his subjects would dare to marry 
into a royal family. As she was about to embark for Virginia, in 
1617, she died at Gravesend, aged about twenty-two years. She 
is represented as a pious Christian. She left one son, Thomas 
Rolfe ; and from his daughter descended some of the most respec- 
table families in Virginia." 

2 



14 




THE INDIAN MOTHER. 

Pammehanuit, an Indian of distinction, with his wife on Mar- 
tha's Vineyard, having lost five children within ten days of their 
birth, had a sixth child born about the year 1638, a few years be- 
fore the English first settled on the Island. The mother, greatly 
distressed with fear that she should lose this child also, and utterly 
despairing of all human help, took up her little son, and went into 
the fields to weep, alone. While here, it was powerfully im- 
pressed upon her mind, that there is one Great Almighty Being, 
who was to be prayed to for help. She accordingly called on 
this God for mercy, and dedicated her child to him. It lived, and 
afterwards became an eminent minister of Christ to the Indians. 



The Indian Mother mourns her children gone, 
For one by one, to fell disease a prey ; 

Quickly they faded in life's earliest morn, 
And only one is left to cheer her way. 

She looks upon her child : must he too leave 
Her lonely home for yonder spirit land ? 



15 

Must she be left alone on earth to grieve, 
Bereft of all her smiling household band ? 

Is there no help ? her anxious heart inquires : 
In vain the Indian Powaw tries his skill : 

No savage rite his demon God inspires, 

The mother's heart is sad and cheerless still. 

Despairingly she wanders with her boy, 

Through lonely fields, in sorrow and forlorn, 

When suddenly a blessed gleam of joy 

Breaks on her darkened soul like rays of morn. 

" Oh yes ! there must be one who rules above, 
The Great Good Spirit yet unknown to me, 

The Lord of all, a God of boundless love, 
The mighty maker of the earth and sea. 

He made the sun to rise from ocean's bed, 
And sink behind the western hills at night : 

He makes the moon her silver light to shed, 

The twinkling stars to shine with radiance bright. 

By him the earth in summer verdure glows, 

The forest boughs with smiling green are spread : 

The yellow corn in plenty he bestows, 

He guards his chosen ones and gives them bread. 

He feeds the little birds that skim the air, 
The fishes gliding through the limpid wave : 

His goodness and his love are every where, 
On him I call, for he alone can save. 

True faith was this, of that untutored mind, 
Though long in darkness she had blindly trod, 

The child she freely thus to Heaven resigned, 
Was spared to be a servant of his God. 



16 




MASSASOIT, THE INDIAN SACHEM. 

In 1623, Massasoit, the Indian Prince of Sachem, of the Mas- 
sachusetts Indians, being sick, the Governor of Plymouth Colony 
sent Edward Winslow and Jonn Hambden to make him a visit. 
They arrived at the Sachem's house about midnight, and found 
him surrounded by his people, using their charms and incantations, 
with hideous noises, in order for his recovery. He was so far ex- 
hausted that his sight was gone, but on being informed that two of 
his English friends had come, he desired to speak with Mr. Wins- 
low, regretting that he could never see him more. Mr. Winslow 
then carefully administered cordials which he had brought with 
him, which operated kindly, and soon restored his sight and 
strength. Upon his recovery he said, " Now I know the English 
are my friends and love me, and I shall never forget their kind- 
ness." In gratitude to his English friends, he disclosed a plot 
which the Indians had formed to destroy them. This timely no- 
tice probably saved the colony from destruction. 



Stretched on a bed of pain, the Sachem lay, 
Great Massasoit, to fell disease a prey. 



17 

Darkness broods round ! his soul is filled with fears, 
Save ! Great Spirit save ! for death appears. 

With savage rites, his tribe a clamorous crowd, 
Have gathered round with innovations loud ; 
Louder, and louder rose the horrid strain, 
The chieftain suffers still, and all is vain. 

" His eyes are dim, no more will he behold 
The king of day, with beams of brightest gold : 
The silver moon, the lake, the rock-bound shore, 
The smiling woodland, he will see no more. 

No longer shall he seek the forest shade, 

Or hunt the deer within the greenwood glade ; 

In love he ruled the warriors of his race, 

But death is near ! who ? who shall fill his place ?" 

So spake his people, as they gathered round 

To see him die ; but hark ! what sudden sound 

Of unexpected joy is heard this hour? 

Rejoice ! the white men come with healing power. 

They come in mercy, and with skillful hand, 
Beside the chieftain's couch, the travelers stand ; 
With soothing care the fell disease is stayed, 
And gratefully, the chieftain owns their aid. 

" The white men are my friends, they love me well ! 
In peace and love we will together dwell " 
No more will we against the white man plot, 
His deed of kindness, shall not be forgot." 

The vow was kept, and as the years rolled round, 
In Massasoit a faithful friend they found ; 
He ne'er forgot the white man's kindly deed, 
The aid they gave him in his hour of need. 

2* 



18 




Monument of Lady Fenwick, Saybrook, Conn. 
THE GRAVE OF LADY FENWICK. 

At the mouth of Connecticut River, about forty rods south of 
the remains of Saybrook Fort, is a sort of tabular monument 
erected over the remains of Lady Anne Botcler or Butler, the 
wife of Col. Fenwick, the commander of the fort at Saybrook 
Point. This lady was the daughter of an English nobleman, 
and consequently retained her maiden name. She accompanied 
her husband into this then wilderness, and lived in a rude fort, 
surrounded by hostile savages. She died in 1648, and was buried 
on a small elevation called " Tomb Hill," near the water. Her 
husband afterwards returned to England, and was appointed one 
of the Judges for the trial of Charles I. 

" The dark brown years have passed over it : she sleeps alone, far from 
the land of her Fathers, ' at the noise of the sounding surge !' Her tomb 
is seen by the mariner, as he passes by on the dark rolling sea !" 

Ossian. 

Not in a sunny vale 
That blooms in beauty in her native isle, 
Not in the heart of some secluded dale, 
Where the blue skies with gentle radiance smile. 



19 

Not in some stately pile, 
Or gorgeous vault beneath her castle home ; 
Not in the Abbey's dim and shadowy aisle, 
Where anthems peal through fretted arch and dome. 

No ! they have made her grave 
Afar, alone ! beside the rolling surge, 
Where ocean birds their dusky pinions lave, 
And foaming billows sound her ceaseless dirge ! 

Far out upon the wave 
Where the wild breezes fill the snowy sail, 
\ The hardy mariner makes her lonely grave, 
And hears her requiem in the stormy gale. 

Far from her native land, 
Like some fair flower, she slowly drooped and died, 
The fairest, frailest, 'mid the Pilgrim band, 
The gentle daughter of a house of pride. 

What though no costly shrine 
Her hallowed dust with stately pomp should grace, 
The daughter of a long ancestral line, 
Has won a holier, nobler resting place. 

For lofty hearts and true, 
Their holiest tribute to her memory paid , 
Hands strong, the spirits high commands to do, 
'Mid prayers and tears her resting place have made. 

There let her calmly sleep, 
Where the dark wave her ceaseless requiem sighs, 
Till the last Trump shall break that slumber deep, 
And she with myriad hosts of earth shall rise ! 

E. G. B. 



20 




Mr. Hooker and his Congregation passing through the Wilderness. 

FIRST SETTLERS OF CONNECTICUT. 

About the beginning of June, 1636, the Rev. Messrs. Hooker 
and Stone, with their congregation of about one hundred men, 
women and children, took their departure from Cambridge, near 
Boston, Mass., and traveled more than two hundred miles, 
through a trackless wilderness, to Hartford, Conn. They had 
no guide but their compass, and made their way over mountains, 
through swamps, thickets and rivers, which were passed with great 
difficulty. They had no cover but the heavens, nor any lodgings 
but those that simple nature afforded them. Mrs. Hooker, being 
feeble, was carried upon a horse litter ; the company were nearly 
a fortnight upon their journey. " This adventure was the more 
remarkable, as many of this company were persons of figure, 
who had lived in England, in honor, affluence and delicacy, and 
were entire strangers to fatigue and danger." " The forest 
through which they passed, for the first time resounded with the 
praises of God ; the Indians following them in silent admiration." 

Beneath the deep and verdant shade, 
Amid a new found land. 



21 

Through forests wild, the wand'rers strayed, 
A Pilgrim exile band. 

The magic needle for their guide, 

The changeless Polar star, 
They wandered on, through paths untried, 

To seek a home afar. 

And manhood's stately form was there, 

Fair childhood with its glee, 
\nd tottering age with hoary hair, 

And smiling infancy. 

And gentle woman with her smile, 
Cheered danger's darkest hour, 

Who bloomed of old in Britain's isle, 
Of princely halls the flower. 

And one, a suffering one and meek, 
They bore o'er hill and dale, 

While o'er her pale and sunken cheek 
Swept evening's chilling gale. 

O'er rock and hill, by stream and glade, 
Through arches deep and high, 

Where gorgeous hues of forest shade, 
First met their wondering eye. 

The forest monarchs stood in bands, 

The stately oak and pine, 
And spread abroad their leafy hands, 

Like priests at nature's shrine. 



22 

And there, like incense, softly rose 
The strains of prayer and praise, 

And broke the Sabbath like repose 
With soft harmonious lays. 

And oft as evening's purple shade 

Was lost in twilight dim, 
Together in the forest glade 

They sang their evening hymn. 

And when the rosy morning woke 

The Pilgrim's song of praise, 
There on the Indian's ear first broke, 

In sweet harmonious lays. 

And here the child of dusky brow, 

Who long in darkness trod, 
First learned in humble faith to bow, 

And seek the Pilgrim's God. 

Fair native land ! what led them thence, 

The dazzling lure of gold 1 
The thrilling tales of eloquence, 

That Poet lips have told ? 

Nay ! one whose name to song is dear, 

Through many a land abroad, 
Hath told what turned their footsteps here, 

l% Freedom to worship God!" 

E. G. 



23 

Thomas Hooker, the first minister in the colony of 
Connecticut, was born in Leicestershire, England, in 
1586, and was educated at Emanuel College, Cambridge. 
After preaching for some time in London and Chelmes- 
ford, he was silenced for his non-conlbrmity. He came 
to New England in 1633, in company with Mr. Cotton 
and Mr. Stone. He had great influence in establishing 
the order of the churches in Connecticut. He was re- 
markable in his manner of preaching. With a loud 
voice, an expressive countenance, and a most command, 
ing presence, he preached with a zeal and energy sel- 
dom equaled. He appeared with such majesty in the 
pulpit, that it was pleasantly said of him that " he could 
put a king in his pocket." He died of an epidemic fe- 
ver, July 7th, 1647. As he lay on his death bed, one 
of his weeping friends said to him, " Sir, you are going 
to receive the reward of all your labors." "Brother," 
he replied, u I am going to receive mercy." 

Samuel Stone, the teacher of the church at Hartford, 
and colleague to Mr. Hooker, was born at Hartford, 
England, and died July 20th, 1663. " While he was 
regarded as one of the most accurate and acute disputants 
of his day, he was also celebrated for his wit and humor. 
Dr. Mather says of him, * He was an extraordinary per- 
son at an argument ; and as clear and smart a disputant, 
as most that ever lived in the world." The following 
inscription is on the monument erected to his memory 
at Hartford. 

" New England's glory and her radiant crowne, 
Was he who now in softest bed of downe, 
Til glorious resurrection morne appeare 
Doth safely, sweetly sleep in Jesus here. 
Tis known beyond compare he did excell ; 
Errors corrupt by sinewous dispute 
He oppugne and clearly them confute ; 
.Above all things he Christ his Lord prefer'd 
Hartford, thy richest jewel's here inter'd." 



24 




ROGER WILLIAMS. 



Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, was one of the 
early Puritan ministers who came over to New England. As 
some of his religious sentiments differed from most of those by 
whom he was surrounded, and as he refused to cease preaching to 
them, he was banished from the colony. In the depth of winter, 
in 1636, he was obliged to leave his family in Salem, Mass., and 
return into the wilderness of Rhode Island, where he might enjoy 
religious freedom unmolested. Here he fixed upon a spot, which 
in grateful remembrance of " God's merciful providence to him in 
his distress," gave the name of Providence. His memory is de- 
serving of lasting honor for the liberty and generous toleration 
which he gave " to all sorts of consciences," and for his kindness 
and benevolence to the native Indians, and all others with whom 
he was connected. 

Williams, a name to human freedom dear, 

True noble of the human race : 
Firm in the truth of God, he feels no fear, 

Though danger stares him in the face. 



25 

Freedom to think, to act, and worship God, 

The great Creator gives to man : 
Frail man would o'er his brother hold the rod, 

And tell him where to pray, and when. 

44 Freedom to worship God," for this to gain, 
Williams retires into the wilderness ; 

'Mid wintry snows he feels that God is near, 
To kindly cheer him and to bless. 

That God who kindly led in times of old, 
By ravens, in the desert wild and wide, 

Doth keep his servant in these western wilds, 
And all his wants are well supplied. 

He builds his cottage in a lonely place, 

Trusting in God for his defence ; 
Religious freedom kindly gives to all, 

And founds his city Providence. 

From Persecution's fierce and cruel power, 

A place of Refuge here is found : 
To worship God as conscience prompts the soul 

Oh call it 44 high and holy ground !" 

Oh haste the hour, when persecuting men 
No more shall curse the earth abroad, 

When bigot fire and flames, no more consume 
The servants of the living God. 

Great Power above ! oh give us all to feel 
Thee still our Father and our Guide ; 

Be thou our Light through this dark wilderness, 
For all is dark and drear beside. 



20 




The Judges Cave, New Haven. 

THE REGICIDE JUDGES. 

On the restoration of monarchy in England, the Judges who 
condemned King Charles I. to death, were obliged to flee the 
kingdom to save iheir lives. General Gofle and Whalley, two of 
the judges, made their escape to New England in 1(160, but were 
compelled to live in great secrecy to prevent being apprehended 
by the King's commissioners. Sometimes they were hid in cel- 
lars, by the colonists who secretly befriended them, other times 
they would resort to the woods, caves, and other hiding places. 
They concealed themselves for a while, in a kind of a cave or ap- 
erture beneath some detached rocks near the summit of West 
Rock, about two miles from New Haven, Conn. This place is 
now called the Judges Cave, and on one of the rocks is inscribed 
" Opposition to Tyrants is obedience to God." If tradition be 
correct, their remains now rest near those of Col. Dixwell,back of 
the Center Church, in New Haven. 



On the mountain, stern and high, 
Bleak and lonely lies the cave, 

Giant rocks around it lie, 
Forest trees around it wave. 



27 

And the river far below, 

Narrowed to a silver thread, 
And the fields in summer's glow, 

Far before the eye are spread. 

While the city's distant spires, 

And the blue and rolling bay, 
Glisten in the crimson fires, 

Kindled at the close of day. 

Many a score of years ago, 

Wilder scenes then met the eye, 

Of the two who looked below, 
From their rocky fortress high. 

Lonely was the view, and wild, 
And the exile's cave was bleak, 

Rocks by Nature rudely piled 

Formed the home, they came to seek. 

Wintry winds came howling by, 

Storms would in their midst intrude. 

And the panther's gleaming eye, 
Looked upon their solitude. 

Outcasts from their place of birth. 

Like the holy men of old ! 
In the dens and caves of earth, 

Parched with thirst, and chilled by cold. 

Nobles of the Pilgrim race, 

Fame like theirs will ne'er decay : 

Still is seen their hiding place, 
But the exiles, where are they 1 

Still the Pilgrim's burial ground, 
Keeps their ashes in its trust, 

Hoary age, the spot has crowned 
Earth to earth ! and dust to dust ! 

Earth shall keep their precept still, 
" That to brave the tyrant's rod, 

With a firm unfettered will, 
Is obedience to God." 



E. o. B» 



28 

One of the Regicides, Col. John Dixwell, resided in New Ha- 
ven, Conn., for a long period, under the assumed name of James 
Davids. He was married in ihis place, and left a wife and two 
children. At his death, he discovered his true character to the 
people. Fearing his enemies might dishonor his ashes, he re- 
quested that only a plain stone might be erected, inscribed with 
his initials, J. D., Esq., with his age and time of his death. Af- 
ter a lapse of one hundred and sixty-one years, on Nov. 22, 1849, 
his remains were disinterred by his relatives, and re-committed to 
the earth, back of the Center Church, standing on the public square 
or green. A tasteful and durable monument is placed over his 
remains. The inscription on the east side, is as follows, viz. 



John Dixwell, a zealous patriot — a sincere christian, 
an honest man, he was faithful to duty through good and 
through evil report, and having lost fortune, position and 
home in the cause of his country, and of human rights, 
found shelter and sympathy here, among the fathers of 
New England. His descendants have erected this mon- 
ument as a tribute of respect to his memory, and as a 
grateful record of the generous protection extended to him, 
by the early inhabitants of New Haven. Erected, A. D. 
1849. 

Inscription on the west side : 

Here rest the remains of John Dixwell, Esq., of the Pri- 
ory of Folkestone, in the county of Kent, England, of a 
family long prominent in Kent, and Warwickshire, and 
himself possessing large estates, and much influence in 
his country ; he espoused the popular cause in the revolu- 
tion of 1640. Between 1640 and 1660, he was colonel 
in the army, an active member of four parliaments, thrice 
in the council of state, and one of the high court which 
tried and condemned King Charles the First. At the 
restoration of the monarchy, he was compelled to leave 
his country ; and after a brief residence in Germany, 
came to New Haven, and here lived in seclusion, but en- 
joying the esteem and friendship of the most worthy cit- 
izens, till his death in 1688-9. 



29 




Gen. Gaffe repulsing the Indians. 
DELIVERANCE OF HADLEY. 



When Gen. Goffe, one of the judges of King Charles I, was 
secreted in Hadley, Mass., in September, 1675, the Indians at- 
tacked the town, while the inhabitants were at public worship. 
The men immediately took to their arms, but were soon thrown 
into the utmost confusion, till GofFe, entirely unknown to them, 
white with age, of a commanding and venerable aspect, and in 
an unusual dress, suddenly appeared among them, encouraged the 
affrighted inhabitants, put himself at their head, and by his mili- 
tary skill, led them on to an immediate victory. After the dis- 
persion of the enemy, he instantly disappeared. The wondering 
inhabitants, alike ignorant whence he came, and where he had 
retired, imagined him to be an angel, sent for their deliverance. 

Hark ! hark ! the watchman's thrilling cry, 

Falls wildly on the ear ; 
To arms ! forth to the conflict fly ! 

To arms ! the foe is near. 
3* 



30 

Pale grew the tender mother's cheek. 

As silently she pressed, 
With feelings words might never speak, 

Her loved ones to her breast. 

Now louder rose the savage yell, 

The echoing woods along ; 
These rav'ning wolves, who, who can quell ? 

For they are fierce and strong. 

Unused to mortal, savage strife, 

Pale grew the Pilgrim's brow : 
Disordered now he strives for life, 

Oh ! who shall save him now ! 

The man of God has bowed him there, 

His flock around him press ; 
Wilt thou not hear thy servant's prayer, 

While in this wilderness 1 

" Save us, O God ! our Father, save," 

Was now the fervent cry ; 
" No other refuge now we have, 

Swift to our rescue fly !" 

The prayer is heard ! a form is seen 

Amid the frighted band, 
Firm as a rock, bold and serene, 

With flashing sword in hand ! 

His waving locks are snowy white, 

Made venerable by time ; 
And yet his eye is keen and bright 

As that of manhood's prime. 



31 

"Courage ! cheer up ! ye pilgrim band!" 

His tones are loud and clear, 
Like one accustomed to command, 

He stands unflinching here. 

44 Stand here ! stand there ! and thus control 

These furious men of blood :" 
Unwonted courage nerves the soul 

Of him who trusts in God. 

" Our leader bold ! he's from above, 

He bears a charmed life," 
So spake the soul that saw him move. 

Unharmed amid the strife. 

Awed by his mien of majesty, 

The lightning of his eye ; 
The foe fall back in wild dismay, 

They shrink, they run, they fly ! 

The strife is o'er ! the battle plain 

The Pilgrim band has won ; 
But wonderingly, they look in vain 

For him who led them on. 

Mysteriously the stranger came, 
As strange his flight had been ; 

None knew his story or his name, 
Amid these wondering men : 

But deemed him as an angel sent, 

For their deliverance given ; 
While many a prayer that evening went 

From thankful hearts to heaven. 



32 




PRESERVATION OF MR. STODDARD. 



Solomon Stoddard was for a long period the minister of the 
Gospel at Northampton, Mass., where he died in 1729, in the 
86th year of his age. He " possessed probably more influence 
than any other clergyman in the province, during a period of 
thirty years. Here he was regarded with a reverence which will 
be scarcely rendered to any other man. The very savages are 
said to have felt towards him a peculiar awe." It is said that 
once when he was passing from Northampton to Hatfield, a 
Frenchman, or Canadian Indian, in ambush, pointed his gun at 
him, but was warned by the Indians not to fire, because that man 
" was Englishman's God." He was also preserved, it is said, in a 
similar manner, while meditating in an orchard back of the church 
in Deerfield, on a sermon he was about to preach. 

Unharmed where foes in ambush lay, 

The man of God passed by, 
Though danger frowned upon his way, 

And sudden death was nigh. 



33 



For twice the foe with murderous aim 

His heart a mark had made, 
And twice the musket's fatal flame 

The Indian's hand had stayed. 

" The white man's God, thou shalt not harm," 

The dusky warrior cried ; 
His grasp was on his comrade's arm, 

His musket turned aside. 

What wondrous power is this, that charmed 

The savage Indian so ? 
That thus the man of God, unharmed, 

Should pass a lurking foe ? 

Oh anxious hearts ! foreboding ill ! 

In this a lesson read ; 
God's love, a shield is round you still, 

Where duty's path shall lead. 

His presence like a wall of fire, 

Will circle round your way ; 
With awe the fiercest heart inspire, 

And hate's fell weapon stay. 

Oh timid hearts ! oh anxious souls ! 

This lesson keep in view ; 
He who the threatened ill controls, 

Will he not care for you ? 

Then on ! where duty's path shall lead, 

Away Math doubt and fear ! 
Stand at your post ! your hour of need 

Shall find a guardian near. 

E. G. B. 



34 




WILLIAM PENN. 

William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, came over to 
AmericT in 1682, with a colony of Friends or Quakers. He en- 
deavored to plant and sustain his infant colony, on the principles 
of Christian Love. He gave free toleration to all religious sects, 
purchased his land honestly of the Indians, and treated them 
kindly : and it is said that in their wars with the whites, they 
never killed a Quaker, knowing him to be such. He founded 
his capital, which he called Philadelphia, or seat of brotherly love. 
William Penn was the son of an Admiral in the English navy, 
who persecuted him on account of his religious sentiments. He 
also was imprisoned for the same cause, and suffered much in his 
attempts to do good to others. 

Moved by the love of God and man, he turned, 
A friend indeed from childhoods stately home, 

To mingle with the few, whom pride had spurn'd, 
Afar amid the western wilds to roam. 

A father's angry frown he heeded not — 

The world's cold taunts ; the flattering voice of Fame ; 
But with a humble sect, he cast his lot, 

And meekly bore his Master's cross of shame. 



35 

He might have won amid his native land, 

A place where dazzling glories gleaming shone ; 

He might have swayed the sceptre of command, 
With favored nobles near a kingly throne. 

But loftier aspirations filled his mind, 

To found an Empire where sweet peace should reign ; 
Friends, native land, he cheerfully resigned, 

And sought a place beyond the rolling main. 

Unarmed except by Love, in danger's hour, 

He moved midst savage men ; his power they feel ; 

All conquering Love ! more mighty in thy power, 
Than thundering cannon, or the glittering steel. 

Like coals of fire, it melts the stubborn will : 

Those who had lurked like tigers for their prey, 

With fell design, with murderous aim to kill, 

Those savage foemen quailed, and owned thy sway. 

And he who wears the garb of Love may stand, 

Firm as if circled by a wall of fire ! 
Hate will not lift 'gainst him the murderous brand, 

And kindled flames of fell revenge expire ! 

Immortal Penn ! what though a crowd unkind, 
Heaped cruel insult on thine honored name, 

E'en prison walls could not suffice to bind 
The noble spirit, fearless still of shame. 

Immortal Penn ! thou hast not lived in vain, 
Thy bright example still shall brightly shine, 

And numerous voices here, and o'er the main, 
With deathless laurels shall thy name entwine. 

And thou, blest Love ! descended from above, 
Myriads of voices yet shall pierce the skies, 

Shall sing the mighty truth, that God is Love ! 
And many a Philadelphia, yet shall rise. 

J. W. B. 



36 




THE SALEM MARTYRS. 

In 1692, occurred one of the most surprising and afflicting 
scenes ever witnessed in New England, from the supposed preva- 
lence of witchcraft. At this period, many learned and eminent 
men in England and America, fully believed in the existence of 
this crime. The excitement commenced in Salem and its vicin- 
ity. About one hundred persons were accused ; about fifty con- 
fessed themselves guilty. Those who confessed themselves guilty 
of this crime, appear to have done it in order to save their lives, 
as they afterwards declared themselves innocent. Twenty per- 
sons were executed for practicing witchcraft, most of whom ex- 
hibited a forcible example of the strength of moral principle. It 
appears that if they would only confess the crime like the others, 
their lives might have been spared. But these martyrs, (as they 
may be truly called,) rather than confess what they knew to be 
untrue, nobly preferred to suffer death. 



When the wild storm so strange, burst o'er the land, 
Dark was the hour, strong was the spell, 



37 

When high and low, to false accusers gave 
The hearing ear, to slanders fell. 

Oh sacred love of truth divine ! for thee, 

Many the martyr's path have trod, 
Though fire and shameful death their lot would be, 

If they spoke truth before their God. 

True sons and daughters of the Pilgrim race, 

Their honor from above they seek ; 
Their life with all its charms they freely give, 

Rather than lying words to speak. 

Their friends with tears come round, and urge them on 
To save their lives ; this, this they press, 

Oh own what weak and frenzied men have said, 
And live your fellow men to bless. 

No, no ! these hero-martyrs firm replied, 
Death in its shameful form we brave : 

Nought but the simple truth shall pass our lips, 
We can not lie our lives to save. 

Oh blessed power that nerves the Christian soul ; 

His strength he feels is from on high : 
Rather than in the least to swerve from truth, 

He'll give up all, and nobly die. 

Then cease to sneer, nor raise the foolish laugh, 

At weakness here, wherever found ; 
How few in this dark world, can pierce beyond, 

Bewildering mists that float around. 

But look with triumph on these noble souls, 

Who duty's path have nobly trod : 
For truth, like those of old, they gave up life, 

True martyrs of the living God. 

J. W. B. 

4 



38 




THE INDIAN REFORMER. 

In the year 1745, the devoted missionary, David Brainerd, la- 
bored among the Indians in Pennsylvania. When at a conside- 
rable distance from the English settlements, he met with an Indian 
reformer, who, though dressed with bear skins, in a most wild 
and fantastic manner, with a rattle in his hand, was evidently 
sincere and honest in his way. Notwithstanding his outward 
appearance, there was much in his character which appeared 
christian-like. He said that he formerly lived like the rest of the 
Indians, but God had changed his mind and shown him what he 
should do. Since that time he had tried to serve him, and he 
loved all mankind as he never did before. He was derided by 
most of the Indians as a precise zealot. He opposed their drink- 
ing strong drink (or fire water) with all his power, and when at 
any time he could not prevent it, would go weeping to the woods. 



In every clime in this dark world abroad, 
God can the thickest clouds dispel : 

His being to the weakest mind can show, 
By many signs infallible. 



39 

Oh let us not, the mercy of our God, 

Confine to our own sect or place : 
He is the Lord of all, of high and low, 

Father of all the human race. 

The Indian wild in the far lonely wood, 

Feels the " Great Spirit " ever near ; 
His voice within he hears, and upward looks, 

And calls on God, and God will hear. 

This sum of heavenly truth, that " God is Love," 

On Pagan hearts this Light of day, 
Pours forth new light ! new Love inspires his soul, 

And hateful passions die away ! 

He meekly strives his brethren to reclaim, 

From the destructive power of sin, 
To drink no more the fiery, maddening draught, 

But strive to have all peace wiihin. 

But if they were to his entreaties deaf, 

His soul was pained, his tears they fell ; 
Into the forest depths he took his way, 

Before the Lord his griefs to tell. 

What though his sacredotal robes may seem, 

Uncouth and barbarous to our sight, 
Oh judge him not severe ! he fancies thus, 

This mode of dress, he thinks it right. 

His paler brother too, has modes and forms, 

Of priestly dress : in various ways, 
Attracts the notice of his fellow men, 

As fancy, or as fashion sways. 

With equal eye, the Father of us all, 

Whether in skins or silks we dress, 
He sees us all ! he knows our thoughts and aims, 

With pity sees our weaknesses. 

Throughout all time and place, he that performs 

The works of love and righteousness ; 
God will accept, though lame his creed, 

The upright man will surely bless. 

J. W. B. 



40 



m 



# 




DESTRUCTION OF D'ANVILLE'S FLEET. 



In 1746, a powerful fleet from France, under the command of 
Duke D'Anville, consisting of about forty ships of war besides 
transports, sailed to ravage and destroy the English settlements, 
on the American coast. The consternation was great among the 
colonies, especially when they learnt that no fleet had sailed from 
the mother country in quest of the French. But a kind Provi- 
dence appeared for their deliverance. A most remarkable series 
of disasters pursued the French. The Duke D'Anville died in a 
sudden and unexpected manner ; his successor, in a fit of delirium, 
killed himself. The fleet sustained much damage by storms, and 
great loss by shipwrecks. In addition to this, a mortal sickness 
prevailed, and swept off a large portion of the troops, and the re- 
mainder soon after embarked for France. Such an instance of 
preservation, without the aid of human power, seldom occurs ; 
and the pious people of that time, ascribed their deliverance to 
that Being, who caused the Assyrian monarch to return to his 
own country, without so much as shooting an arrow against Je- 
rusalem. 



41 

The dark'ning clouds of war are gathering fast, 
The foe draws near with towering pride, 

Threatening our land with fiery 'vengeance storm, 
And desolation far and wide. 

In proud array the hostile fleet of France, 

Are marshaled for the onset dread ; 
A powerful force urged on by swelling sails, 

By noble, warlike Captains led. 

God of our Fathers ! kindly save us now, 

Oh shield us by thy mighty power ; 
Oh Father, hear us in our deep distress, 

And save us in this trying hour. 

Thine ancient people, when the mighty hosts 

By proud Senacherib were led, 
Their prayers they raised to thee : in one short night, 

Thy power did lay them helpless, dead. 

Our father's prayers were heard : sickness prevails ; 

Death thins the ranks ; o'erpowers the foe ; 
The frowning heavens above are dark with storms. 

The foaming billows rage below. 

By stormy winds dismantled, and o'er-powered, 
The mighty ships are sunk like lead : 

Amid the waste of waters wide around, 
The foe lies low among the dead. 

Disease and flood, and stormy winds, and death, 

Fulfill the will of the Most High : 
Strong is the power that kindly guards all those, 

That on the mighty God rely. 

4* J. W. B. 



42 




ZINZENDORF, THE MORAVIAN MISSIONARY. 

In 1742, Count Zinzendorf, the celebrated Moravian mission- 
ary, went among the Shawnee Indians, in the Wyoming valley 
in Pennsylvania. Unable to appreciate the pure motives of his 
mission, they suspected him of being a spy, or a land speculator in 
disguise, and accordingly they sent some of their number to kill 
him. Zinzendorf had kindled a fire in his tent, and was deeply 
engaged in writing and meditation when the Indians stole upon 
him, to execute their bloody commission. Warmed by the fire, 
a large rattle snake crept forth, and glided harmlessly over the legs 
of the holy man unperceived by him. The Indians, however, 
were at this very moment looking stealthily into the tent and saw 
the movement of the serpent. Awed by this scene, they desisted 
from their bloody purpose ; they soon retired, and informed their 
countrymen that the Great Spirit protected this white man, and 
they dared not raise their hands against him. 

Alone ! and far from childhood's home, 
He crossed the stormy sea to roam, 
An exile, in the forest wild, 
To seek and save frail nature's child ; 
The dusky Indian who hath made, 
His home within the green wood shade. 



43 

Sweet lover O Charity divine ! 
What wondrous mighty power is thine ! 
Which thus the ties of nature rends, 
And severs country, kindred, friends, 
And ills to share, all perils brave, 
A fallen sinful race to save. 

Count Zinzendorf, of noble race, 
Like him of Patmos finds a place, 
To hold communion sweet, on high, 
Where heavenly visions meet the eye ; 
To write : and to the churches tell, 
Though dark around, yet all is well. 

Upward he looks ! his spirit flies, 
To far off bowers of Paradise, 
To meet with spirits of the just, 
Made perfect in their love and trust ; 
Unmoved he sits, serene his brow, 
What angel guards his musings now 1 

For see ! what danger now betides ! 
A horrid serpent o'er him glides : 
Calmly he sits, unconscious still 
Of aught that now may threaten ill : 
The poisonous reptile all disarmed, 
Creeps on, and leaves him quite unharmed. 

He rests ! while savage foes draw near, 
Amazed they stand in wondrous fear : 
What potent spell, what magic charm 
Can shield the pale faced man from harm ? 
Some mighty power to them unknown, 
Must guard this stranger when alone. 

He sleeps ! but sleep like his, may speak 
A lesson words are all too weak 
To tell ; the white man's God hath power 
To shield his servant at this hour ; 
That he whom Israel's Watchman keeps, 
Through threatened ills, untroubled sleeps. 



44 
MORAVIANS. 

The United Brethren, or Moravians, of whom Connt 
Zinzendorf was a distinguished member, derive their or- 
igin from the Greek Church, in the 9th century. The 
society, as at present, was placed on a permanent foun- 
dation in 1722, by the Count, who gave the persecuted 
brethren in Moravia, a place of refuge on his estates in 
Saxony. Zinzendorf, having adopted the sentiments of 
the Brethren, was consecrated one of their Bishops, and 
from thenceforward devoted his life to the cause. 

Under the guidance of the Count, certain article? of 
union were agreed to, which embraced only the great 
truths of Scripture. Individuals of all Protestant denom- 
inations, consequently have always been freely admitted 
into their communities without renouncing their peculiar 
creeds. Discussions respecting controverted points are 
avoided, but they make the merits of Christ their princi- 
pal theme, and hope of salvation. 

The Brethren early turned their attention to this coun- 
try, in order to introduce Christianity among the Indians. 
In 1741, they settled near the forks of the Delaware, in 
Pennsylvania. Count Zinzendorf, then on his mission- 
ary tour in America, visited this place on Christmas in 
that year, and lodged in a log-house, attached to which 
was a stable. From this circumstance the name of 
Bethlehem was given to the settlement. 

" No people have probably done so much in the cause of mis- 
sions, in proportion to their means, as the Moravians. The suf- 
ferings and devotedness of their missionaries have been great. 
They have oftentimes gone forth, single-handed and unknown, 
among the slave population in the West Indies, the degraded and 
filthy Greenlanders, and the savages of our own country. In some 
instances ten, in others near fifty years have elapsed, ere they saw 
any fruit ; yet they continued to labor, full of faith, and struggling 
against misrepresentation, suffering, and loss of life," 



45 

Bethlehem, the largest town of Moravians in this 
country, is about 48 miles north of Philadelphia, and 
contains about 1600 inhabitants, mostly of German de- 
scent. The town is> beautifully situated, and is celebra- 
ted for its neat and orderly appearance. The following, 
respecting their religious customs, &c, is from a recent 
publication. 

As usual among the Germans, great attention is paid to music ; 
almost every dwelling has its piano, and it forms one of the most 
interesting features of their public worship. Before the Lord's 
supper, they have a love feast, when all assemble expressly to listen 
to vocal and instrumental music, interspersed with hymns, in which 
the congregation join, while they partake of a cup of coffee, tea, or 
chocolate, and light cakes, in token of fellowship and brotherly 
union. Easter morning is devoted to a solemnity of a peculiar 
kind. At sunrise the congregation assemble in the graveyard ; a 
service, accompanied by music, is celebrated, expressive of the joy- 
ful hopes of immortality and resurrection, and a solemn commem- 
moration of those who, in the course of the last year, have gone to 
heaven. 

Soon as a person dies, the event is announced by solemn instru- 
mental music, from a band stationed in the church tower. Differ- 
ent tunes are played, signifying the age, sex, and condition of the 
deceased ; so it is then usually known who is dead. These death 
hymns, sounding, as they often do, upon the still morning or eve- 
ning air, must have a singularly melancholy effect upon the hearer, 
reminding him that he too is mortal. Their funeral services are 
usually performed in church ; from thence the congregation march 
to the grave, preceded by a band of music. If the deceased is a 
female, the ladies follow first after the coffin ; if a male, the re- 
verse. They consider death as no evil, but the entrance to eternal 
bliss, and therefore do not mourn for friends, nor wear insignia of 
grief. In alluding to the departed, they use the expression, " helm 
gehen," signifying that they have gone home. The graveyard, 
like most of this denomination, is laid out as a garden, and planted 
with trees, under which are seats for visitors. The graves are de- 
void of the disagreeable coffin-like shape of our own ; but resemble 
flower beds, and in many cases are covered with myrtle and other 
ornamental plants. The monuments are small slabs laid horizon- 
tally upon the graves, the inscriptions uppermost, and bearing sim- 
ply the name, age, and place of decease. 



46 







RESCUE OF MAJOR PUTNAM. 

In 1758, Major Putnam, when near Fort Edward, during the 
war with the French and Indians, was taken prisoner by the. 
latter. They determined to roast hirn alive. Accordingly they 
stripped him, bound him to a tree, and piled up dry brush and 
other fuel in a circle around him, which they set on fire. A sud- 
den shower damped the rising flame. Still they strove to kindle 
it, until at last the blaze ran fiercely round the circle. The sava- 
ges yelled in triumph, and Putnam fully believed that his final hour 
had now come. He summoned all his resolution, and composed 
his mind as far as he could, to bid farewell to all he held most 

lear. The bitterness of an agonizing death wan in a manner past, 
and nature was quitting her last hold on life, when a French offi- 

er rushed through the crowd, opened a way by scattering the 
jurning brands, and severely reprimanded the savages. This 
was Molang, the commanding officer, who, having received in- 
formation of what was going on, rushed to the relief of Putnam, 
and at the last moment saved his life. 

A fearful sight now rises to the view, 

In the dark northern forests wild ; 
Putnam the brave is seized, condemned to .death, 

Fast bound amid the blazing pile. 



r 



The scorching fire begins to rise ; 

Loud sounds the savage demon yell : 
The suffering victim looks for help above, 

From foes the children dire of hell ! 

Oh Father help him in this trying hour ; 

Help him ! he calls on thy great name : 
The prayer is kindly heard, a sudden shower 

Puts out the kindling, rising flame. 

With fell revenge and hate, the savage crew 

Kindle again the raging fire ; 
Prepare a feast of death, and see once more, 

A victim brave, in flames expire. 

The savage yells in horrid triumph rise, 
Like demons mad, they dance around ; 

The crackling, roaring flames now mount on high, 
The death-song swells with fearful sound. 

My hour is come ! I shall behold no more 
My loved ones, and my partner dear ! 

Perish I must ! within this scorching flame : 
No human help doth now appear. 

Yet Father thou canst save ! when all below 

Is darkness to the human eye ; 
Yet Father to thy stern decree I bow, 

Submissive at thy feet I lie. 

That man is blessed, who puts his trust in thee, 
Who lives, or dies at home, abroad : 

Strong is the power that kindly guards him round, 
Strong is his helper, Father, God ! 

A voice is heard ! a noble form appears, 
Molang, the generous Frenchman, braves, 

Drives back the wretches with indignant frown, 
Scatters the fire, the victim saves. 

Oh noble thus ! our enemies to love, 

Kindly assist them in distress ; 
And him who reigns above, the Lord of all, 

The merciful will surely bless. 



48 




THE TRUE WIFE AND MOTHER. 

In 1764, Col. Boquet, having conquered the Indians in the vi- 
cinity of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, compelled them to sue for peace. 
One of the conditions of peace was, that the Indians should de- 
liver up all the women and children whom they had taken into 
captivity. Many of these had learned the language of their cap- 
tors, adopted their habits, and were bound to them by ties of affec- 
tion. The separation between the Indians and their prisoners 
was heart-rending. Some afterwards made their escape, and re- 
turned to the Indians. One female, who had been captured at 
the age of fourteen, had become the wife of an Indian Chief, and 
mother of several children. When informed that she was to be 
delivered to her parents, her grief could not be alleviated. " Can 
I," said she, " enter into my parents dwelling ? Will they be 
kind to my children ? Will my old companions associate with 
the wife of an Indian 1 And my husband, who has been so kind 
— I will not desert him !" That night she fled to the camp of 
her husband and children. 



Strange is the forest scene, 
A. sorrowing group is there ; 



49 

The Indian with his dusky brow, 
And woman pale and fair. 

The parting hour has come, 

And tearfully they stand ; 
While friends their long lost kindred claim, 

Amid that forest band. 



" Back to the white man's care, 

The captives we restore ; 
But to the Indian's homes and hearts, 

They will return no more. 

Mother, and wife, and maid, 
From hill, and stream, and dell ; 

And from your homes beneath the shade, 
Ye go : farewell ! farewell !" 

These mournful words are heard, 

Sad as a funeral knell ; 
And the proud Indian's bitter tears, 

Fall with the word, farewell ! 

Hark ! for 'tis woman speaks, 

The Mother and the wife : 
Hear ! for her kindred bid her rend 

The ties more dear than life. 

" They bid me seek again, 

The home of childhood's years ; 

But oh ! its far off beauty shines, 
But dimly through my tears. 

A dearer home is mine, 

Within the green wood glade ; 
5 



50 



There dwells my love, my children play, 
Beneath its leafy shade. 

My children ! born and reared 

Amid the forest wild ; 
Will not the white man proudly spurn, 

The Indian's dusky child ? 

And those I loved of old, 

My friends in years gone by, 

Will they not mark the Indian's wife 
With cold averted eye ? 

And he I loved so well, 

That heart so kind and true ; 

Can ye give back such love as his, 
Which I resign for you 1 

And shall I leave him ? No ! 

I leave the white man's care ; 
Back to the forest's depths I go, 

My home and heart are there. 

Yes ! for a mother's love, 

No laws of caste can bind ; 
And only in one faithful heart, 

The wife her home may find. 

So woman's love will shine, 

Alike through good or ill, 
In palace hall, or forest shade, 

Pure and unchanging still. 



E. G. B. 



51 







THE MOTHER'S VOICE. 

In 1764, Col. Boquet of Pennsylvania, having defeated the In- 
dians, compelled them to sue for peace. One of the conditions 
upon which peace was granted, was that the Indians should re- 
store all the women and children they had taken captive from 
the white settlements. Many had been seized when very young, 
forgot their own language, and grew up to maturity, in the wig- 
wams of the savages, adopting their manners and customs. A 
great number of the restored prisoners were brought to Carlisle, 
— many a mother found a lost child, but others could not desig- 
nate their children. Among these, was an aged woman, whose 
child, little girl, had been teken from her several years before ; 
but was unable to recognize her daughter, or converse with the 
released captives. With a breaking heart, she lamented to Col. 
Boquet her hapless lot. The Colonel requested her to sing a 
hymn which she used to sing to her daughter when a little child. 
This was no sooner complied with, than tho long-lost daughter 
rushed into the arms of her mother. 

In strange fantastic dress arrayed, 
The rescued captives stand, 



52 



With warriors of the forest shade 

Amid the little band, 
Of friends that here their kindred claim, 
Repeating each familiar name. 



And here the mother seeks with tears, 
Her loved, her long lost child, 

So changed by lapse of weary years, 
From the young face that smiled, 

Upon her in her childish glee, 

In days of helpless infancy. 



Dark was the storm of war that swept 
The peaceful country o'er ; 

When friends and kindred sadly wept, 
For those they saw no more : 

And many a mother mourned her child 

Borne captive to some forest wild. 



What tone, that long lost child shall reach, 

What voice her tale impart ? 
She knoweth not her loved one's speech ; 

And with a heavy heart, 
She looks from face to face with tears, 
To seek the one, long lost for years. 



Is there no dear familiar word, 
Which on her ear should break ? 

Is there no lay in childhood heard 
Sweet memory's chords to wake, 

To free that spirit from its spell ? 

The soldier bade the mother tell. 



53 

She sings the song of other days, 

The hymn so sweet and mild , 
One of the simple cradle lays, 

She sang her infant child, 
And learned that loved one's childish tone, 
To mingle sweetly with her own. 

A mother's voice ! what magic art 

It hath to touch the soul ; 
It enters in the inmost heart, 

Its passions to control : 
That voice that lulled the babe to rest, 
fn slumber on a mother's breast. 

A mother's voice, it tells of love, 

Such as few hearts may know, 
Such as v the angels feel above, 

For those they guard below ; 
A love the world can never chill, 
Pure, undefiled, and changeless still. 

Oh blessed voice ' oh long lost strain 

Thy tone has pi erced one ear ! 
The daughter echoes back again, 

The song to me: nory dear : 
She rushes to her mother's breast ! 
A mother's heart n ust think the rest ! 

5 : E. G. B. 



54 




COL. BOONE'S FIRST VIEW OF KENTUCKY. 



In 1769, Col. Daniel Boone, and a few others from Virginia, 
made an exploring expedition into the wilderness westward. 
After a long fatiguing march over a mountainous region, they 
came to the top of an eminence, from whence, with joy and won- 
der, they discovered the level and beautiful landscape of Ken- 
tucky. " Here," says Col. Boone, " nature was a series of won- 
ders, and a fund of delight. Here she displayed her ingenuity 
and industry, in a variety of flowers and fruits beautifully colored, 
elegantly shaped, and charmingly flavored : and we were diverted 
with numberless animals, presenting themselvee perpetually to 
our view. The buffaloes were more numerous than cattle on 
other settlements — their numbers were amazing.'* 

Fair was the scene that lay, 

Before the little band, 
Which paused upon its toilsome way, 

To view this new found land. 

Field, stream, and valley spread, 
Far as the eye could gaze, 



55 



With Summer's beauty o'er them shed, 
And sunlight's brightest rays. 

Flowers of the fairest dyes, 

Trees clothed in richest green ; 

And brightly smiled the deep blue skies, 
O'er this enchanting scene. 

Such was Kentucky then, 

With wild luxuriance blest ; 
Where no invading hand had been : 

The garden of the West. 

Such must have seemed the land, 

Columbus found of old ; 
Whose beauties lay on every hand, 

Whose charms were never told. 

So to the Christian's eyes, 
The land of promise seems : 

So many a fairy vision lies, 
Before our gaze in dreams. 

Kentucky ! years have passed 
Since first they pressed the sod ; 

Another race its lot has cast, 
Where once the Indian trod. 

Fair as thou wert of old, 

The patriot's cause be thine, 

Thy sons for Liberty be bold, 
For Freedom's rights divine. 



E. G. B. 



56 



.'i!l|l ! :iilji!i|ltl|.| ; Y; 




Benezet instructing colored children. 

ANTHONY BENEZET. 

This celebrated philanthropist was a native of France. On 
account of religions persecution in that country, his parents, in 
1731, removed to London. While here, the family adopted the 
religious opinions of the Society of Friends, and in 1731, emigra- 
ted to Philadelphia. In his zeal to do good, he left a profitable 
mercantile business, and devoted himself to the instruction of 
youth. He was a friend to the poor and distressed of every de- 
scription, and labored most earnestly for their relief and welfare. 
He made great exertions to have the slave trade suppressed. The 
unfortunate and degraded situation of the African race in this 
country, deeply moved his sympathy, and he made strong efforts 
for their elevation and improvement. The loss of this benevolent 
man was deeply felt, and his funeral was attended by all religious 
denominations. Many hundred colored persons, with tears, fol- 
lowed his remains to the grave. An American officer of the 
Revolutionary army, in returning from the funeral, pronounced a 
striking eulogium upon him. " I would rather," said he, "be 
Anthony Benezet, in that coffin, than the great Washington with 
all his honors." 



57 

Servant of God ! thy work is done, 

No more thy thoughts employ 
On earth below : the victory's won ! 

" Enter thy master's joy." 

Like him thy suffering bosom heaved, 

Thy tears like rain-drops flowed, 
For suffering, fallen, wretched man, 

Thy soul with mercy glowed. 

Long didst thou meekly strive and toil, 

To raise an injured race, 
And give them hope 'mid keen despair, 

And beings lost embrace. 

The widow and the fatherless, 

With sighs and tears deplore, 
This benefactor of our race 

On earth, they see no more. 

Oh, sainted one ! in this dark world 

Too few like thee are seen ; 
" Like angel heavenly visitants, 

Too few and far between." 

No hollow, false, deceitful tears, 

O'er Benezet are shed, 
Thy memory will live above, 

When earth gives up its dead. 

No rattling drum, no volley loud, 

Speaking of war's dread trade ; 
No gaudy banners proudly wave, 

Where thy remains are laid : 

Oh no ! angelic hosts attend, 

Thy spirit to convey, 
From these dark bewildering scenes, 

To endless, perfect day. 

Kind heaven doth guard thy sleeping dust, 

Though scattered round, abroad : 
Thy spirit sweetly rests within 

The bosom of thy God ! 

J. W. B. 



58 




FOUNDING OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE. 

In 1770, Dr. Wheelock removed from Connecticut, his family 
and school to Hanover, New Hampshire, and laid the foundation 
of Dartmouth College at that place. The roads at that period, 
being rough and unfinished, the pupils performed the journey on 
foot. The site selected for the college and other buildings, was 
an extensive plain, shaded with lofty pines, with no accommoda- 
tions except two or three log huts. A college and ether buildings 
were erected and partially finished before the autumnal snows 
set in. In the ensuing winter, the snow lay four feet in depth, 
between four and five months. " Sometimes standing in the 
open air, at the head of his numerous family, Dr. Wheelock pre- 
sented to God their morning and evening prayers : the surround- 
ing forests, for the first time reverberated the solemn sounds of 
supplication and praise." 

In the deep shadow of the solemn wood, 

With rustling pines, and woodland songsters nigh, 

The man of God amid his scholars stood, 

And raised the tuneful song of praise on high. 

Dartmouth, endeared to science is thy name, 
Thy bounteous gift yet still shall long endure, 



59 



These dauntless hearts, these weary travelers came, 
Thy gift for unbom thousands to secure. 

No pompous rites the pleasing service crowned, 
No organs swell, no costly robes wore there, 

But murmurs of the forest reigned around, 

Unbroken save by sounds of praise and prayer. 

It was a simple structure which they reared, 
Deep in the heart of that secluded grove, 

But by the labor of their hands endeared, 
And hallowed by a blessing from above. 

Far different this from proud ancestral piles, 
Beyond the sea, 'mid England's stately homes, 

Where shadowy stillness reigned in cloistered aisles, 
The dust of centuries, on ponderous tomes. 

Where pale monastic men still pondered o'er, 
Old volumes saved from all destroying time, 

Not such famed Dartmouth, was thy treasured store, 
Nor dim religious splendor such as theirs, was thine. 

But through the winter's storm, and summer's heat, 
Fair Science, did thy children gather there, 

The Indian youth sat at Instruction's feet, 
With his white brother, void of slavish fear. 

Deep lay the snow its humble walls around, 
When winter's wind came howling fiercely by ; 

Their couch oft-times in summer's heat the ground, 
And the blue vault above, their canopy. 

Such Dartmouth, were thy " founding times " of old, 
Clouds of the morn that ushered in thy days, 

Of calm prosperity when we behold 

Thy numerous sons, rehearse old Dartmouth's praise. 

E. G. B. 



60 




Washington asking pardon of Mr. Payne. 

WASHINGTON'S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. 



In 1754, Washington, then a young man of 22 years of age, 
was stationed with his regiment at Alexandria. At this time, an 
election for public officers took place, and the contest between 
the candidates became exciting and severe. A dispute took place 
between Mr. Payne and Washington, in which the latter, (an 
occurrence very uncommon with him,) became warm, and said 
something which gave Mr. Payne so much offense, that he 
knocked Washington down. Instead of flying into a passion, 
and sending him a challenge to fight a duel, as was expected, 
Washington, upon mature reflection, finding that he had been 
the aggressor, he resolved to ask pardon of Mr. Payne on the 
morrow. Accordingly he met Mr. Payne the next day, and ex- 
tended his hand in a friendly manner : " Mr. Payne," said he, 
" to err is nature : to rectify error is glory. I find I was wrong 
yesterday : but I wish to be right to day. You have had some 
satisfaction : and if you think that was sufficient, here's my hand : 
let us be friends." It is hardly necessary to state, that ever after- 
wards they were so. 



61 

Great Washington ! more noble far thou wert, 
When like a suppliant thou didst meekly yield, 

Than when thy banners waved in victory high, 
O'er foemen prostrate on the battle field. 

Thou canst forgive ! oh heavenly blessed power ! 

Our brother frail, his insults to forgive, 
To rise above revenge, that passion strong, 

And good for evil, kindly, nobly give ! 

True courage this ! that nobly dares do right, 
Nor heeds the proud, the puny worldling's scorn *? 

Fears not the slanderous tongue, or hellish spite, 
But bravely, boldly, meets the thick'ning storm. 

He soars above the fogs that close him round, 
The dark sulphureous clouds that frown below, 

To realms above, where seraph voices sound, 
Where Love and Friendship pure, forever glow. 

So like Monadnock's lofty towering height, 
When all below the murky clouds deform ; 

Though lightning's flash, though loud the thunder rolls, 
In sunshine peers above the raging storm. 

Oh little souls, that have no strength to rise 
Above an insult : choose the better part, 

Cherish the noble feeling of the soul, 

That crushes hate when rising in the heart. 

Be like the Father of your country bold, 
'Tis Godlike thus, for evil good inspire ; 

It calms the stubborn spirit sweetly down, 
Melting the soul with coals of heavenly fire ! 

6 J. W. B. 



62 




GEN. REED REFUSING THE BRIBE. 

In May, 1778, when Gen. Joseph Reed, of Pennsylvania, was 
a member of the American Congress, three Commissioners from 
Great Britain, Governor Johnstone one of them, addressed pri- 
vate letters to Francis Dana, Robert Morris, and Gen. Reed, to 
secure their influence towards restoring harmony with the mother 
country, by giving up their independence. But the attempt was 
in vain with these patriots. Gen. Reed, who was somewhat des- 
ponding of the American cause, had a direct proposition made to 
him, by a lady employed by Gov. Johnstone, that if he would 
effect a re-union between' the two countries, that ten thousand 
pounds, and the best office in the gift of the crown in America, 
should be at his disposal. He replied, " that he was not worth 
purchasing, but such as he was, the king of Great Britain was 
not rich enough to do it." 



No honors high, bestowed by kingly hands ; 

No glory bright, to gain the mob's applause ; 
Nor titles proud to cluster round his name, 

Can move the hero from his country's cause. 



63 



No mines of gold can draw the patriot's soul, 
Who to his country stands : no golden shower 

Can blind his vision to his country's good; 

In virtue strong, he scorns the tempter's power. 

When titled men clothed with official power, 
To tempt his soul with wealth and honor high, 

He spurns the bribe ! and nobly, boldly tells, 
Though poor, no king is rich enough to buy. 

No threats of dangers, chains or banishment, 
Or gifts of wealth, or power, or titled name, 

Can daunt, or lure the noble lofty soul, 
That feels, oh Liberty ! thy sacred flame. 

My country ! sacred home ! I feel the power 
These magic watch words give the inmost soul ; 

More potent far than kingly mandates are, 
The patriot's noble spirit to control. 

Though tyrant's stalk around with pomp and power, 
Boasting with pride that God hath made them so, 

Freedom " though crushed to earth shall rise again," 
And men its lasting triumphs yet shall know. 

What hosts are crushed by dire oppression's chain. 
Throughout the wide-spread earth around, abroad ; 

And creep and cringe before their fellow-worms, 
Who claim the high prerogative of God. 

Go make those little craven servile souls, 
Their birth-right for a mess of pottage give ; 

The high born soul disdains the proffered bribe, 
And nobly scorns in slavery's garb to live ! 

J. W. B. 



64 




PASSING THE DELAWARE. 

The summer and fall of the year 1776, was the most gloomy 
period of the American Revolution. After a series of disasters, 
Gen. Washington was obliged to retreat from New York towards 
Pennsylvania. The army, which had consisted of 30,000 men, 
was reduced to about 3000. Many of these were ragged, without 
shoes, and pinched with hunger. Their footsteps through the 
ice and snow, were marked with blood as they fled before the 
enemy. The American cause seemed desperate, and Congress 
recommended to each of the States, to observe " a day of solemn 
fasting and humiliation before God." Washington saw the ne- 
cessity of striking a successful blow for the salvation of his coun- 
try. On the night of Dec. 25th, 1776, the army re-crossed the 
Delaware, and advanced to attack a division of Hessians, who 
lay at Trenton in fancied security. They were taken by surprise. 
A few with their commander, Col. Rahl, were killed, and 1000 
were made prisoners. 

The oppressor's marshalled hosts mighty in arms 
advance. The sons of Freedom flee before their 
haughty foes. The full fed tyrants stalk around. 



65 



The men of servile souls creep forth and do them 
homage. The lonely star of Freedom bright shi- 
ning on these western shores, grows dim, and dark 
sulphureous storms now brood around. 

In war's dread strife, our father's ranks grew thin 
and scattered. They bent before the raging storm. 
Through ice and snow, their footsteps marked their 
path with blood. With fleets and armies strong, 
the foe pursued, resolved to crush the feeble few, 
who nobly stood in arms for freedom's holy cause. 

The heavens grew dark with clouds ; the tem- 
pest thickened round their path, their friends grew 
sad and silent. Crushed down, but not destroyed, 
our fathers hearts grew firm and strong. Like 
the firm oak that shoots its roots into the earth, 
more deep and strong, when rudely shaken by the 
whirlwind blast ! 

One band remained. Firm in their country's 
bleeding cause, they scorn to yield. One mighty 
effort more to make for freedom, sinking beneath 
the tyrant's power, they forward move. With lion 
hearts, and arms of steel, resolved on victory high, 
or nobly fall as martyrs for the rights of men. 

They cross the raging flood, 'mid wintry blasts 
and crackling ice. Safely they reach the other shore. 
Their ranks in stern array are formed. Onward 
they press on icy pavement strong. The mortal 
conflict hastens on. An Empire's fate hangs trem- 
bling in the breeze. Freedom is lost, or victory 
won. 

The thoughts of home steal o'er and fill their 
souls. Perhaps the coming storm will lay them low 
in blood, and those they love will see their forms no 

6* 



66 



more. Their souls are moved within. They curse 
that lust of power and pride that swims in tears 
and blood. To crush this power, they boldly breast 
the leaden, deadly, thundering storm ! 

The sun had tipped the distant hills with silvery 
light, when roused from sleep, the foe appeared in 
sight. Columbia's chieftain rises in his might, and 
waves aloft his flashing steel. Once more ! my 
fellow soldiers brave ! once more ! he cried. For 
Freedom high now boldly strike ! 

As when some mighty storm, with whirlwind 
power, sweeps o'er the plain, so rushed our fathers 
on the haughty foe. Dismayed, o'er-powered and 
crushed, they fell before the fiery tempest. They 
lay their weapon in the dust and ask for life. Fair 
Freedom smiled in tears of joy, that now this west- 
ern world was free ! 

Though storms may rage, and blacker grow the 
skies, desert not Truth, or Freedom's holy cause. 
With heart sincere, oh firmly breast the howling 
storm, and quail not before the .lightning's flash. 
The right shall yet prevail, the foe shall fall, and 
final victory yet shall come ! 




67 




WASHINGTON AT MORRISTOWN, N. J. 

In 1777, the American army were obliged to retire before the 
superior force of the enemy, in the vicinity of Philadelphia, and 
encamped at Valley Forge, about 22 miles distant. The army 
arrived at this plaice, about the 18th of December, and it is said 
that they might bave been tracked, by the blood of the soldiers 
feet, in marching bare-footed over the hard, frozen ground. The 
army built themselves log-huts, or cabins, for a shelter ; but they 
endured'extreme suffering, from the want of provisions, blankets 
and clothing, and many perished from privations and disease. 
The American army had also suffered much the previous winter, 
when they lay at Morristown, N. J. It is related, that on one 
occasion, Washington told one of his hungry men, to go to his 
table and refresh himself, while he would take his gun and per- 
form the duty of a common soldier, as a sentinel in his place. 
The commander-in-chief, by many similar acts of condescension, 
greatly endeared himself to the American soldiers. 

'Mid winter's howling storms of snow and ice, 

Tne soldiers still with hope inspired, 
Reared their rude cabins 'mid the chilling blast, 

With love of home and freedom fired. 



68 

111 clad they shivered in the wintry wind, 
No blasts could cool their hearts desire ; 

By hunger sore, and fell disease they fell, 
And in their country's cause expire. 

True heroes those ! that stand like valiant men, 
Though sufferings many, keen and long; 

No bribes can move them from their country's cause, 
For freedom firm ! in virtue strong ! 

Great Washington their life of hardships shares, 

With courage bold and martial grace 
His presence cheers the faint desponding heart, 

He takes the humblest soldiers place. 

Greatness of mind is this, that soars above 

The petty place of rank and birth, 
That feels for every man a brother's love ; 

Such are the noblest minds on earth. 

The noble chieftain scorns, disdains to leave 

His soldiers in their sore distress ; 
He shares the sufferings, dangers, toils, 

Which round his soldiers hourly press. 

Thy spirit Liberty ! our Fathers felt, 

With lion hearts, and upward eye ; 
Firmly they stood in Freedom's holy cause, 

Nor cowered beneath the angry sky. 



69 




FUNERAL OF GEN. FRAZER. 

In October, 1777, Gen. Burgoyne, when advancing upon the 
Northern States from Canada, was effectually checked in his 
progress at Saratoga. Near this place, a bloorly battle was 
fought, in which Gen. Frazer, one of the principal officers of the 
enemy, fell, mortally wounded, by a shot from one of Morgan's 
rifle men. As he lay dying he was heard to exclaim, " oh iatal 
ambition!" " oh my poor wife !" He was buried according to 
his request, on an elevation near Hudson river, on which was a 
battery. His remains were attended to the grave, at 6 o'clock 
in the evening, by the general officers ; and the funeral scene is 
described as unusually soiemn, impressive and awful, by the voice 
of the chaplain, being accompanied by constant peals from the 
American artillery, and the cannon shot which flew thick around 
and near the procession. 



The warrior sleeps, he wakes no more, 
At glory's voice of chivalry : 



70 



His part am r d the strife is o'er ; 
He starts not at the cannon's roar, 
Nor rolling drum, nor musketry. 



No more the soldier leads the band, 

Of Britain's warlike infantry, 
They hear no more his stern command, 
Nor gleams his sword, nor waves his hand, 
Urging to death or victory. 



The rifle lays the chieftain low, 

By Morgan, aimed so fatally, 
He falls where streams of life blood flow, 
Where comrades 'neath the deadly blow, 
Have fallen, wounded mortally. 



So " glory leads, but to the grave," 
Such was the soldier's destiny, 
To meet his doom he crossed the wave, 
His life blood flowed, his deeds so brave, 
Were given for chains and slavery. 



In evening shadows sinks the sun, 

And life departs thus mournfully, 
Its brightness fades in shadows dun, 
And so the hero's course was run, 
And ended thus in tragedy. 



His lifeless form is borne on high, 
In solemn martial pageantry 
While threat'ning clouds obscure the sky, 
And fires of death are flashing nigh, 
And roar of dread artillery. 



71 



They grant the soldier's last request, 

Though death flies round so fearfully, 
They lay the warrior down to rest, 
The turf upon his lifeless breast, 
His grave is in the battery. 



Ashes to ashes ! dust to dust ! 

The chaplain's voice thus steadily, 
Gives back to earth its mournful trust, 
Slowly and sadly as he must, 

Amid war's dread artillery. 



And in the soldier's native land, 

The tidings fall most heavily ; 
The wailings of his household band, 
O'er him, laid low by war's dread hand, 
The spirit move to sympathy. 



Oh when shall war's dread tumult cease. 

And brothers dwell in unity, 
The captive from his chains release : 
Father of all ! oh give us peace, 

And heaven born love and harmony. 



72 




Count Donop mortally wounded at Red Bank. 
COUNT DONOP. 

In 1777, Col. Donop, a brave Hessian officer, made an attacK 
on the Red Bank, an American fortification, on the New Jersey 
side of the Delaware. Col. Greene, the commander, having 
retired to an inner fort before the attack, the Hessians entered 
the out- works with shouts, supposing they had gained the victory. 
But as they advanced a short distance, a most terrible and over- 
whelming fire, strewed the ground with the dead and dying. 
Count Donop, mortally wounded, was conveyed to the house of 
a Friend near by, where he expired. " See in me," said the dy- 
ing Count, " the vanity of human pride ! I have shone in the 
courts of Europe ; and am now dying in the house of an obscure 
Quaker !" 



Dark lowering clouds float o'er the sky afar, 
Fit emblem of the dark'ning shade of war : 
Above the smiling land of peace outspread, 
Where bannered armies of invaders tread. 



73 

The Hessian warrior onward leads the way 

To scenes of blood, in battles proud array ; 

Bright visions dazzling float before his gaze, 

When sovereign tongues shall speak the soldier's praise : 

When laurel wreaths shall crown his brow with fame ; 
When beauty's lips shall proudly speak his name ; 
When minstrel harps amid his native land, 
Shall sound the victories of his conquering hand. 

With pride he bids the band of freemen brave, 
Who nobly sought their native land to save, 
Lay down their hostile arms, or else prepare. 
The traitors ignominious doom to share. 

His soldiers mount the walls, and victory cry, 
Their shouts exulting, and their banners high, 
When see ! they downward sink ! in groans they fall ! 
A storm of deadly fire sweeps o'er them all ! 

Alas, poor Donop ! whither now have fled 

The dreams which their enchantment round thee shed ; 

Thy noble form all crushed and mangled lies, 

In blood, in groans, in mortal agonies. 

" Oh cursed ambition ! false deceitful spell, 
Hath lured me on to learn the trade of hell ; 
Hath led me far across the rolling sea, 
To crush a nation struggling to be free. 

Sinking in death, uncared for, and unknown, 
I lie, who 'mid the pomp of courts have shone : 
No gentle voice shall whisper words of peace, 
Or bid the parting spirit sweet release !" 

7 



74 

Not so the Christian Soldier ! though he dii . 
He wins a crown beyond the starry skies : 
With peaceful hope he yields his latest breath, 
And gains the victory in the hour of death. 

No mad ambition goads him to the field, 
Against the widow, and the orphan steeled ; 
To gain on History's brilliant page a name, 
Though men may bleed, may die to give him fame. 



But Love, sweet Love ! impelled alone by thee, 
The Christian Soldier, fetterless and free, 
The wretched cheers ! the drooping heart shall raise, 
Though none on earth may ever speak his praise. 

But when the dread and final hour shall rise, 
And rolling thunders cleave the parted skies ; 
When dire convulsions rend the stormy spheres ; 
And o'er the wreck of time the Judge appears : 

The Christian Hero, in that hour shall stand, 
Arrayed in shining robes at his right hand ; 
On Life's fair book shall there be traced his name, 
In lines of living Light ! to deathless fame ! 




75 




DEATH OF BARON DE KALB. 



The Baron de Kalb, a General in the American Revolutionary 
army, was a native of Germany, born about the year 1717. He 
fell mortally wounded in a battle near Camden, S. C, while 
vainly attempting to prevent the defeat of the Americans under 
Gen. Gates, August, 1780. He appears to have had a kind of 
presentiment, that he would fall in the approaching contest, which 
he expressed to several of the American officers, who were deeply 
affected by this circumstance. Said this brave foreigner, " To 
die, is the irreversible deoree of Him who made us. Then what 
joy to be able to meet death without dismay. This, thank God, 
is my case. The happiness of man is my wish : that happiness 
I deem inconsistent with slavery. And to avert so great an evil 
from an innocent people, I will gladly meet the British to-mor- 
row, at any odds whatever." 

An aged hero from a distant land, 

For freedom's cause hath crossed the sea , 

The brave de Kalb, a name to freemen dear. 
Periled his all for Liberty. 



76 

Tyrants and despots with their iion power, 
Have cursed the earth, both far and wide , 

Millions condemned to suffering, toil and death, 
To bloat their fellow- worms with pride. 

The warlike Britons marshalled hosts draw near . 

Aloud they raise the battle cry : 
" The foe I'll meet ; on to the conflict go, 

Though in the bloody storm I die." 

" To die, is the irreversible decree 

Of Him who governs all below : 
I feel within the solemn time draws nigh, 

When from these mortal scenes I go." 

De Kalb thus spoke : he leaves his friends in tears, 
With high resolve, come death or life ; 

He meets the foe, he braves the fearful storm, 
For others good he joins the strife. 

With thundering cannon, and with rolling drum, 
The storm of death sweeps wildly by ; 

With overpowering numbers rush the foe, 
With deafening shouts the fearful fly. 

The stranger hero quails not ! still he stands, 
Nerved to the conflict, scorns to flee : 

Wounded he falls, his life-blood freely flows, 
Sacred to Freedom ! Liberty ! 



77 




THE MORAVIAN INDIAN MARTYRS. 



Several depredations having been committed by hostile Indi- 
ans, on the frontier inhabitants of Pennsylvania and Virginia, a 
company of upwards of 100 men, under the command of Col. 
Williamson, crossed the Ohio, determined on vengeance. On the 
8th of March, 1782, they came upon the Moravian settlements at 
Salem and Gnadenhutten, and by false pretences, caused the 
Christian Indians to assemble at the latter place. Here they 
were treacherously imprisoned and barbarously murdered. These 
Indians, ninety in number, consisting of men, women and children, 
when their immediate death was determined on, kneeled down 
and prayed to God their Savior, took affectionate leave of each 
other, and then sang a hymn of praise to Him who would soon 
relieve them from all pain and sorrow. Impatient of delay, the 
blood-thirsty wretches interrupted the last hymn they could sing 
on earth, and demanded if they were not ready for death. They 
answered yes, and added, they had commended their souls to God, 
with the assurance that he would receive them. They were then 

put to death. Those of the soldiers, eighteen in number, who 

opposed these murders, stood at a distance, wringing their hands, 

and calling God to witness, " that they were innocent of the lives 

7* 



78 



of these harmless Christian Indians." The unchristian savages 
were themselves amazed at this bloody deed. They said that 
they had endeavored to draw their brethren back to heathenism, 
but that the Great Spirit, in order to prevent it, had taken them 
to himself. 



Our time is come ! when we must go 
Into the " Spirit Land " on high ; 

The cruel white man false has proved, 
And basely led us here to die. 

Great God of all ! on thee we call ; 

Our murderous foes around us press ; 
Our souls receive : be with us now. 

Nor leave us in our sore distress. 

'Mid pale faced savage, cruel men, 

These Christian Martyrs meekly stood, 

Like harmless lambs, 'mid cruel wolves, 
Like those of old, they call on God. 

He gives his servants mighty power, 
Courage to meet their threatened doom, 

And with his smile to cheer the hour, 
Of danger's deepest, darkest gloom. 

These servants of the living God, 
Unite in hymns of joyful praise, 

Meet the last earthly summons dread, 
And loud their songs of triumph raise. 

" Make haste ! no longer sing and pray ; 

Make haste, your blood we wait to shed 
So spake the fell, infernal crew, 

Like wolves impatient to be fed. 



79 



One loved, and long, and last embrace ; 

They pardon all, and are forgiven : 
Meekly they die, calling on God, 

Like Stephen, look, and rise to heaven. 



Oh sacred power ! that nerves the soul, 
To suffer death 'mid scenes like this : 

Above the world the spirit soars, 
Resting in lasting heavenly bliss. 

Silent in death these martyrs lay;' 
They triumphed in the darkest hour : 

Like saints of old, they nobly fell 

'Mid hellish spite, and demon power. 

The savage pagan hears the tale, 

How white men kill the men that pray ; 

Amazed he stands at deeds like this, 
Murder most foul in open day. 



" Oft have we tried to draw them back, 
No more the Christian's God to love," 

This to prevent, the red men said, 
" Their God has taken them above." 





Prince Gallitzin, at Loretto, Penn. 

PRINCE GALLITZIN. 

Demetrius Augustus Gallitzin, a Catholic clergyman of 
Cambria Co., Perm., was born at Munster, in Germany His 
father, Prince de Gallitzin, ranked among the highest nobility of 
Russia ; his mother was the daughter of a celebrated Field Mar- 
shal, under Frederick the Great. The young Prince held a high 
commission in the Russian army from his infancy. While quite 
a youth, he came to America, and landed at Baltimore in 1782. 
He soon turned his attention to the christian ministry, and for 42 
years exercised the pastoral office in Cambria County. When he 
first came to this place, situated among the Alleghany mountains, 
he found it a wilderness, but by great labor and privations, and 
after expending a princely fortune, he succeeded in making " the 
wilderness to blossom as the rose." He who might have reveled 
in princely halls, spent thirty years in a log cabin, denying him- 
self, that he might raise the fallen, clothe the naked, and feed the 
hungry. He died in May, 1840, at Loretto, near Ebensburg, 
aged 70 years. 

Servant of God ! thy heavenly mission's o'er, 
Thy work in this dark world is done ; 



81 

Thy Master calls thee to a throne above ; 
Thy conflict's past ! thy victory's won ! 

Though born in princely halls and nursed with pride, 
Though wealth was thine, and honor, fume ; 

Too poor it proved, to fill a soul like thine, 
That sought a new and holier name. 

Then ask not with a bigot's purblind zeal, 

Which ? Paul or Cephas he preferred : 
But did he strive to do his master's will, 

And did he humbly walk with God 1 

Oh for that love of Truth ! that looks above, 

The feeling of a bigot's heart ; 
That tramples down the walls that men would raise, 

To keep God's servants wide apart. 

Gallitzin ! born a nobleman of God, 

Thyself thou didst not seek to please, 
By shrinking far away to cloistered walls, 

To doze out life in listless ease. 

Oh no ! but like thy master, thou didst toil, 

Among a fallen race, around, abroad, 
And preach his gospel to the humble poor, 

And call the wandering back to God. 

The splendors of a royal Court were left, 

To hush the cries of sore distress : 
To clothe the naked, feed the hungry poor, 

The widow and the orphan bless. 

Did glory bring thee to the tented field, 

And warlike hosts await thy nod ? 
Oh no ! thou liv'st to save the lives of men, 

Yes ! like thy Savior, Jesus, God. 

Oh for that time ! when men like Christ shall live ! 

Too few like thee, oh sainted one, 
Thy heavenly Master's footsteps here have trod : 

Servant of God, well done ! well done ! 

J. w. 



82 







COUNCIL OF THE MOHAWK WOMEN. 



Justice has hardly been done to the virtues of the Indian wo- 
men of our country. Instances have been known, when by their 
influence as peace-makers, they have prevented many bloody 
wars. Alive to the interests of those dear to them, they have 
implored those who had the power to stop the traffic of epirituous 
liquors, the use of which has ruined so many tribes. In May, 
1802, the Mohawk women assembled in council, to which they 
called the celebrated Capt. Brant, and other chieftains of the tribe. 
Addressing them as Uncles, in the Indian manner, they lamented 
the many misfortunes among them caused by drinking the "fire 
waters," and implored them to stop the trade. There being con- 
tentions among the Mohawk warriors and chieftains, they en- 
treated them to bury all disputes, and added, that as they had in 
a great measure been the cause of stirring up their male relations, 
they would do it no more. Capt. Brant replied, addressing them 
as " nieces," that they would do their best to have these evils don 
away. 

Blest are the messengers of peace, 
Who come with soothing power. 



83 



To bid the storms of passion cease, 
In hatred's darkest hour. 



In every clime, fair woman mild, 

Her gentle sceptre wields, 
And man's proud spirit, stern and wild, 

Beneath its influence yields. 



When the accursed " fire waters " came, 

Among the Indian race, 
To kindle hatred to a flame, 

With misery and disgrace. 



Then gentle woman's voice was heard, 
The Mohawk matron's prayed, 

The honored chieftains of their race, 
For Right to lend their aid. 



The white man comes with draughts of fire, 

To barter here for gain ; 
Sons, brothers, sires, the poison drink, 

With misery on its train. 



The mother's prayers, the wife's deep sighs, 

The sister's hapless lot ; 
The tears that fall from orphan's eyes, 

Alike are heeded not. 



Brother with brother madly strives, 
Ruled by a demon sway, 

And fiercely shed each others blood, 
Like ravenous beasts of prey. 



84 



*' Oh bid the murderous traffic cease, 
Ye chieftains of our race ; 

And to the reign of peace and love, 
These fiendish deeds give place. 



Oh drive the poison far away, 
And bid the white man bring 

The maddening liquor here no more, 
Nor touch the accursed thing. 



So let our simple prayer be heard, 
Our by-gone joys restore ; 

Bury the hatchet in the earth, 
And live in peace once more." 



The chieftains listened to their prayer, 
And pledged their vow that day, 

To touch no more the poisonous draught, 
But drive it far away. 



So woman should thy voice be heard, 
And so thine influence given ; 

Quelling the stormy passions power, 
Leading the soul to Heaven. 




CAMPBELL'S GRAVE. 

On the 5th of July, 1779, a body of 3000 men, under the com- 
mand of Gen. Tryon, landed near New Haven, Conn and pro- 
ceeded to the invasion of that place. About 1500 of the enemy, 
under Gen. Garth, landed at West Haven Point, and took up 
th.ir march for New Haven. Their march along the summit of 
Milford Hill with their scarlet uniform, and well burnished arms 
flashing in the sun beams, is described as a most imposing scene. 
Adjutant Campbell, tall and elegant in person, of splendid mili- 
ary appearance, and the idol of the soldiers, commanded one of 
he advance guards of the enemy. He was shot down by some 
of the militia! who had hastily assembled to oppose their progress. 
He was carried into a humble dwelling nearby where he ex- 
nired His body was found on a bed unattended, and was car- 
K on a sheep-rack to his grave. The spot is stiU to be seen, 
designated by a small rough stone on which is inscribed « Camp- 
bell. 1779," erected, by the Author of this work, in Sept. 1844. 

No marble monument is thine ; 
No stately pile, no massive tomb, 

8 



86 



Where waving banners proudly shine, 

Amid the Abbey's gloom : 
No pompous strains to tell thy praise ; 
No child of song awakes his lays ; 
No organ's peal through arches high, 
A requiem to thy memory. 



No, thine is but a lowly grave, 

Beneath New England's deep blue sky ; 
Its summer flowerets o'er thee wave, 

Its winds thy requiem sigh : 
A lowly grave, one simple stone, 
Tells of thy song linked name alone , 
Alone, afar ! above the plain, 
Thy sleeping dust doth still remain. 



Sleep on, oh gallant soldier thou ! 

Sleep on and take thy dreamless rest ; 
Death's seal upon thy noble brow, 

The turf upon thy breast : 
But calm beneath these smiling skies, 
The forest city near thee lies, 
The murmuring river rolls between, 
Her stern old rocks, her bowers of green. 



Perhaps amid thy native land, 

Thine own fair isle beyond the sea, 
The loved ones of thy household band, 

Looked long in vain for thee : 
For thee they watched through long bright hours : 
For thee they decked their green wood bowers ; 
And listened at the homestead door, 
For footsteps they should hear no more. 



87 



Oh bright thy country's banners danced, 

And fluttered in the morning light ; 
And flashing steel and scarlet glanced, 

All bathed in radiance bright : 
At night their path was lone once more, 
The drum was still, the strife was o'er : 
And thou the noblest of them all, 
Doomed in the foremost ranks to fall. 



Full many a year since then has passed, 

Of toil for blood bought liberty : 
Right manfully the die was cast, 

For death or victory. 
And now our flag floats far and wide, 
Its stars and stripes, our conntry's pride, 
And we a people brave and free, 
To God alone bow heart and knee. 



But when the last dread trump shall sound, 

And like a scroll roll back these skies, 
From every bloody battle ground, 
Earth's myriad hosts shall rise ; 
And marshaled rank on rank shall stand, 
The warrior hosts of every land ; 
Then forests wild, and ocean's bed, 
Alike that day give up their dead. 

E. 6. 




88 




THE WESTERN MISSIONARY. 

About the year 1800, at the period of the first settlement of 
our western states, itinerant missionaries were sent from the east 
to labor in the new settlements scattered here and there in the 
wilderness. In order to extend the light of religion, and lay the 
foundation of happiness and intelligence to a great people yet to 
come, these devoted men endured much toil, danger and suffering 
in the tedious forests, unknown deserts, and trackless uninhabited 
regions. One of these missionaries, while travelling in the north- 
ern section, in the depth of winter, became bewildered and be- 
numbed by the chilling frost. He was found sometime after- 
wards, having been frozen to death while on his knees, in the 
attitude of prayer. 

True Patriot of the human race is he, 

A soul of noble, yea of heavenly birth ; 
Who lives to scatter light and love abroad, 

The faithful servant of his God on earth. 



No golden region far doth lure him on, 
Nor hope of honor bright, nor selfish love 



89 



Inspires his breast: his soul, with eagle eye, 
Looks upwards to the realms above. 

What though thy lowly name will not appear 

Upon the musty rolls of human fame, 
In God's own book of everlasting life 

Is found inscribed thy new and holier name. 

The proud of earth may scorn thy humble mien, 
Despise thy work, disdain thy feeble voice ; 

Angels attend thee in thy mission round, 
And ever in thy labors kind rejoice. 

Through forests dark and wild, o'er mountains high. 

In wilds wherever human foot has trod, 
To dark benighted, fallen, wretched men, 

Thou art the high Ambassador of God. 

No ravening beasts, nor savage cruel men, 
Thy firm and dauntless heart can ever move, 

Nor summer's burning heat, nor winter's cold, 
Can stay thy noble embassy of love. 

Thou laborest still ; waiting thy masters will, 
To be discharged, and calmly then obey, 

The summons to thine everlasting rest, 
In realms of endless light ! eternal day ! 

The time is come ! fierce howls the wintry blast ; 

No farther onward can the wanderer go ; 
Kneeling, on God he calls ; calmly he dies, 

Amid a lonely wilderness of snow. 

Oh thus to die ! and nobly thus to fall ! 

When on a mission, holy, high like this ; 
Immortal honor bright, it gives the soul, 

" Sacred, substantial, never fading bliss." 

Angelic hosts now hail thee welcome home ; 

Thy godlike spirit dwells among the just ; 
Though ravening wolves may howl, and roam around, 

Thy God will guard his servant's sleeping dust. 

8* J. w. B. 



90 




PERILOUS PASSAGE ON THE LAKES. 

The North American Indians appeared to have far more cor- 
rect views of the Deity than most heathen nations. Though gen- 
erally Polytheists, or believers in many gods, yet they believed 
there was one Supreme God or Great Spirit who ruled over all. 
A person long resident among the Indians, states that he has of- 
ten seen them pray to the Great Spirit when about to engage in 
any enterprise of moment, or hazard. An Indian woman of his 
acquaintance, wishing to visit an island in one of our great North- 
ern Lakes, was in trouble on account of the great hazard of the 
undertaking. Placing herself in the attitude of prayer, she fer- 
vently prayed to the Great Spirit to give her a safe passage. 
i hen addressing herself with energy to paddling her frail canoe 
h rough the foaming waters, she was landed on the desired shore 
in safety. 



Tite thickening foam is on the deep, 

The tall grass waves around, 
And through the pines, the storm winds sweep, 

With wild and mournful sound. 



01 



Afar the sullen waters roar. 

And low the wild bird flies ; 
While threatening clouds portentous soar, 

And darker frown the skies. 

The Indian matron views the scene ; 

Far off yon island lies ; 
Loud roars the pathless gulf between, 

The lake's broad billows rise. 

Undaunted stands the fearless form, 

Of one who dares to brave, 
The fury of the coming storm, 

The madness of the wave. 

"Great Spirit, thou dost rule the sea, 

By thine Almighty power ; 
Thy feeble creature calls on thee, 

Oh save me in this hour ! 

When as the wreaths of smoke rolled by, 

The fiery deluge came, 
Wrapping the prairie, and the sky, 

In one broad sheet of flame. 

And when the deer flew quickly past, 

Urged on by terror wild, 
And perished in the fiery blast, 

Then thou didst save thy child. 

When the fierce wolf, and panther howled, 

Around their forest den, 
And round my pathway wildly howled, 

Still thou wert with me then. 



92 



When cruel foemen like a flood, 
O'erwhelmed our smiling land, 

Nor spared the tender infants blood, 
Thou savest me from their hand. 

Great Spirit ! creature of thy care, 

To thee alone I bow ; 
Thou didst of old in danger spare, 

Oh save thy servant now !" 

The frail canoe has left the shore ; 

Far, far behind it lies ; 
The lightnings flash, the thunders roai, 

And darker grow the skies. 

But still she calls on God to save ; 

She plies the nimble oar ; 
The bark flies on, she skims the wave ; 

She nears, she gains the shore ! 

E. O. 




03 




SKENANDOA, THE ONEIDA CHIEF. 

Skenandoa, the celebrated Oneida chief, was the firm and effi- 
cient friend of the United States during the Revolutionary war. 
He was very savage, and addicted to drunkenness during his youth, 
but by the effort of Rev. Mr. Kirtland the missionary, and his 
own reflections, he lived a reformed man more than sixty years, 
and died in Christian hope. He died in 1816, at Oneida Castle, 
near Utica, N. Y., at the advanced age, it is said, of one hundred 
and ten years. He desired to be buried near Mr. Kirtland, his 
beloved minister and father, that he might, (to use his own ex- 
pression,) " Go up with him at the great resurrection." To a 
friend who called on him a short time before his death, he thus 
expressed himself through an interpreter : 

"I am an aged hemlock. The winds of an hundred winters have 
whistled through my branches ; I am dead at the top. The genera- 
tion to which I belonged have run away and left me ; why I live, 
the Great Good Spirit only knows. Pray to my Jesus that I may 
have patience to wait my appointed time to die !" 

Time with unsparing hand, 
Sweeps all away, the dark brown years have 



94 

An aged hemlock, grey with years I stand, 
My leaves are scattered, and my top is dead. 
An hundred winter's winds have o'er me past, 
And left my branches bare amid the chilling blast. 

An hundred springs have brought 
The swelling buds, the flowers, the early rain, 
The sun's bright rays, the forest depths have sought 
And freed the streamlets from their icy chain ; ' 
They brought the songs of many a woodland bird, 
And the green leaves by balmy breezes stirred. 

But they shall bring to me 
The tender foliage of my youth no more ; 
My Spring is past, and wasted stands the tree 
Whose beauty, Summer's breath can ne'er restore ; 
Spring, Summer, Autumn, with their charms have flown, 
And in my Winter time I stand alone. 

And all I used to love 
In by-gone years, amid my race are gone ; 
Still smile the fields, where we were wont to rove ; 
My comrades heed no more the blushing dawn, 
Or the wild notes that called them to the chase, 
Like morning vapor, gone ! who, who shall fill their place 1 

The streams go bubbling by, 
Beside whose banks, the red man used to stray ; 
The skies as warmly smile ; with softest sigh, 
Amid the moaning grove the breezes play : 
"Will ye come back, oh friends I loved of yore?" 
The winds reply " No more ! they come no more !" 

Like them I too must go, — 
The good Great Spirit, soon for me will call ; 



95 



Why thus so long, I linger here below, 

I know not ; but my Savior knoweth all , 

Oh friends, that he will grant me patience, pray, 

That I may calmly wait, through long delay. 

And when that call, I hear, 
And longing, weary, I shall go to rest, 
Lay me by him, who taught me first to fear 
The white man's God, the Father ever blest ; 
Lay me by him, that I with him may wake, 
When the Great Resurrection morn shall break. 

Oh brave and honored chief! 
Death's summons found thee waiting for the day, 
Whose peaceful coming brought thee sweet relief, 
And called the prilgrim from his weary way, 
To join the blood-washed throng around the throne, 
Where age steals on no more, nor grief is known. 




96 




Death of the child of Judge Kingsbury. 

FIRST BORN OF THE RESERVE. 

Among the first families that wintered on the Connecticut 
Western Reserve, (the north-eastern section of Ohio,) was that 
of Judge James Kingsbury. They arrived at Conneaut, (some- 
times termed the Plymouth of the Reserve,) during the summer of 
1796, soon after the country was first surveyed. Being compelled 
by business to visit the State of New York, with the expectation 
of a speedy return to his family, Judge Kingsbury was detained 
by a severe sickness till winter set in. As soon as he was able, 
he proceeded on his return, with an Indian to guide him through 
the wilderness. His horse having- been disabled, he left him in 
the snow, and mounting a bag of flour on his own back, he urged 
his way onward towards his family. He finally arrived in safety, 
and found the partner of h-is cares, reduced by famine to the last 
stages in which life can be supported ; and near her, on a little pal- 
let, lay the remains of his youngest child, born in his absence, who 
had just expired for the want of that nourishment which the mo- 
ther was unable to give. 

Child of Ohio's pioneers ! 

First in its northern wilderness ! 



'Mid wintry storms and forests wild, 
Suffering by hunger, sore distressed ! 

The Mother helpless, lonely, sad, 
In a rough dwelling famished lies : 

Her sufferings keen ; her friends away ; 
Her little one, it moans and dies! 

Through forest branches bare and high, 
Fierce sweeps the wind the cottage paea ; 

The Wolf-howl and the Panther's scream, 
Are heard above the wintry blast. 

Where is the husband? father, where? 

When will he come 1 O see thy child ! 
Vain is the call ! louder the wind 

Is heard along the forest wild. 

A weary wanderer, lost, forlorn, 
Perhaps he roams the forest o'er ; 

Perhaps by ravening beasts he's torn, 
Or chilled, he sinks to rise no more. 

So spake in tears the suffering wife ; 

Beside her lay her infant dead, 
First bom upon the wild Reserve, 

By hunger sore its spirit fled. 

Through suffering thus, Ohio rose 
Thy-fields, from out the wilderness ; 

Thy brave and hardy pioneers, 
Millions of freemen yet shall bless. 

And such was woman's love, that led 

Through western wilds, her fragile form ; 

Like rainbow beauty, softly shed, 

And gleaming brightest through the storm. 
9 



98 




iiAN YERRY, AND JUDGE WHITE'S GRAND-CHILD. 

Judge White, the first settler of Whitetown, N. Y., removed 
to that place in 1784. Han Yerry, an Oneida Chief, who lived 
in the vicinity, called on the Judge one day, and asked him if he 
was his friend ? Yes, he replied. Well then, said the Indian, do you 
believe that I am your friend 1 The Judge again replied, yes. 
Then said Han Yerry, I will tell what I want, then I shall know 
whether you speak true words. The Indian then pointed to a 
little child, the daughter of one of his sons, two or three years old, 
and said : my wife wants to take her home to stay one night with 
us, and we will bring her home to-morrow. The feelings of the 
grand-father and the mother were put to a severe test. They 
however concluded it would be best to put confidence in the word 
ol the savage, and thus appeal to his sense of honor. They were 
told to take the child. A long night and day succeeded, with 
many foreboding fears on the part of the mother. At the close of 
the day, the little child was brought back, arrayed in all the finery 
of Indian attire. This adventure was the cause of an ardent at- 
tachment between the whites and Indians. 

The Indian clasped the smiling babe, 
And bade the prattler rest, 



99 

In childhood's fearless innocence, 
Upon his dusky breast. 

A.nd towards his forest home he turned, 

While yet the mother's eye 
Looked on her child, and red-browed guest, 

In strange anxiety. 

' Let us be friends," the Indian said, 

This prattling child shall ba, 
Between the pale faced race, and mine, 

A pledge of amity. 

Back to the Indian's forest home, 

This child I bear awhile ; 
For one amid the woodland wild 

Will love his infant smile." 

He turns him to depart once more ; 

Pale grows the mother's cheek ! 
The conflict 'twixt her love and fear, 

A mother's heart may speak. 

How shall she let the dear one go, 

Far from its mother's breast ; 
She must, or make a deadly foe 

Of her dark Indian guest. 

Slow through the forest winding path, 

She sees their figures fade ; 
She gazes still, till they are lost 

Amid the deep'ning shade. 

The night wears on, and comes the day, 

But come no chief or child : 
Slow pass the tedious hours away, 

The mother's heart is wild. 

But sudden up the woodland path, 

A stately form appears; 
They come ! the Indian and the child ; 

Sad mother, dry thy tears. 

Then anxious mother be at rest, 

Kind hearts thy child restore ; 
Thy confidence hath made thy guest 

A friend for evermore. 



100 




Arms of New Jersey. 

THE INDIAN BLESSING, ON NEW JERSEY. 

In 1832, a petition was presented by Bartholomew S. Calvin, 
an aged Delaware Indian, for some compensation for relinquish- 
ing some rights his tribe had in hunting and fishing in New Jersey. 
The Legislature received the petition, and granted 2,000 dollars, 
being all that was solicited. Calvin returned a letter of thanks to 
tn"e Legislature, in which he feelingly bears his testimony to the 
high sense of justice ever shown by the people of New Jersey, to a 
feeble and wasted people. Said he, " not a drop of our blood have 
you spilled in battle. — Not an acre of our land have you taken 
but by our consent. ** * There may be some who would despise 
an Indian benediction: but when I return to my people, and 
make known the result of my mission, the ear of the Great Sove- 
reign of the Universe, which is still open to our cry, will be pen- 
etrated with our invocation of blessings upon the generous sons of 
New Jersey. * * * * Unable to return them any other compensa- 
tion, I fervently pray that God will have them in his holy keep- 
ing, *** and receive them into his kingdom above." 

Brothers ! to you the mighty and stout hearted, 
To you, who fitly speak the white man's power; 

Type of a race, whose glory is departed, 
Aged and weak I come to you this hour. 



These broad green fields, these hills, these woodlands hoary 
The chieftains of our nation trod of old : 



101 



Our smiling lakes, our rivers fraught with story, 
We offer to your pale faced race for gold. 

For proudly to your honor, be it spoken, 

Since first the white man sought these vales we tread, 
No treaty of our peace, has yet been broken, 

No drop of Indian blood has yet been shed. 

Farewell ! we go, and blessings be upon you : 
The Indian's path is towards " the setting sun ;" 

Your kindly deeds, your noble acts have won you 
The Red Man's thanks, long as his life shall run. 

Let others scorn the humble boon we proffer, 

An Indian's benediction on your lot, 
'Tis all we have to give ; and this we offer, 

Though humble, hearts like yours, will spurn it not. 

And when towards home, our journey we are wending, 
And tell the deeds of noble hearts and true ; 

Then grateful prayers, and warmest blessings, blending, 
Shall reach the Almighty's ears for yours, and you. 

So spake the Indian, and'no prouder story 

E'er graced the lists of worldly rank and fame ; 
No other State can boast the meed of glory, 
That's linked New Jersey with thine honored name. 



G. B. 




102 




THE MOTHER PERISHING WITH COLD. 

In December, 1827, Mr. Blake, with his wife and infant daugh- 
ter, while traveling in a sleigh over the Green Mountains in 
Vermont, were overtaken by a snow storm. The storm was so 
thick and furious, that their horse refused to stir. Mr. B., realiz- 
ing his dangerous position, after protecting his wife and child as 
well as he could against the storm left them, intending to seek 
for aid at the first house he could find. He was soon benumbed 
by the cold, and fell, and found himself unable to rise. His wife, 
as is supposed, alarmed at his long absence, left the sleigh in or- 
der to find him. When within thirty rods of her husband, she 
was overcome by the cold. Knowing her fate, she stripped her- 
self of the thickest part of her clothing and wrapped up her infant 
daughter. Mr. Blake was found alive the next morning, with 
his hands and feet badly frozen : the body of his wife was found 
lifeless and cold : and lifting up the infant from its snowy bed, 
the hearts of the beholders were rejoiced to see it smile. In the 
following stanzas, some extracts are taken from Mrs. Seba 
•Smith's expressive lines on this touching incident. 

The storm was fierce, the wintry blast 
Howled deep at close of day ; 



103 

And where the snow fell thick and fast, 

The travelers pressed their way : 
The husband, wife, and infant child, 
Alone, amid the tempest wild. 

To save that cherished wife and child, 
The husband braves the snow ; 

But the fierce storm grew still more wild, 
He can no farther go : 

'Tis vain against the blast to press. 

He sinks amid the wilderness. 

And she the mother with her child ! 

Sweet woman's song has told, 
How bravely in the tempest wild, 

She braved the blast so cold : 
And how that frail defenceless form 
Pressed on, still on, amid the storm. 

And how the mantle from her breast, 

She folded round her child ; 
And as she sank at last to rest, 

Upon her infant smiled ; 
With love that death could never chill, 
Pressed to her heart that infant still. 

Now fiercely howled the wolf afar, 

And loudly roared the blast, 
With chill of death : the morning star 

Its ray around him cast ; 
And waving pines, with mournful sound, 
So deep and solemn, wailed around. 

At dawn the traveler passed by, 

And found her icy form, 
Who, when no earthly friend was nigh, 

Perished amid the storm : 
" He moved the robe from off the child — ■ 
The babe looked up and sweetly smiled." 

A mother's love ! thus, thus through all 

It lives through every ill : 
No storms fts courage can appal, 

Nor icy blast can chill: 
Like evergreens 'mid wintry snows, 
With brighter beauty ever glows. 



104 




CHURCH IN THE WILDERNESS. 

In the western part of Virginia, in the mountainous region, the 
country is thinly settled, and the roads few. In some counties 
there are no settled clergymen, and the inhabitants are princi- 
pally dependent on itinerant preachers, to conduct the public 
worship of their larger religious assemblies. In order to enjoy 
their religious privileges, they assemble together from a large 
district of the surrounding country, and once every year form a 
kind of religious Encampment. The engraving is from an orig- 
inal drawing from Howe's Hist. Coll. Virginia, and represents 
one of these encampments. The rude structure seen in the cen- 
tral part, is for public religious services. It is surrounded on 
three sides by rows of log cabins, built for the convenience of the 
people who assemble here to worship God, in the depth of a wild 
forest. 

In the lone forest, solemn, dark and wild, 

Where men from worldly turmoil meet : 
Oh sacred spot ! where God is worshipped, 

In love and unity complete ! 

No towering turrets meet the wondering eye ; 
No massive structure high and wide ; 



105 

No columns high, nor gaudy frescoed walls, 
Speaking of wealth, of power, of pride. 

Oh no ! nought but a simple, lowly shed, 

A cover from the sun-lit heat ; 
No doors to close 'gainst him with " raiment vile,** 

Nor is he shown a beggar's seat. 

blessed place ! where Christians love to meet, 

In this dark wilderness of sin ; 
To talk of Him they love, oh converse sweet ! 

Their heavenly work they thus begin. 

No pompous priest attempts, with flowery words, 

To gain on earth a brilliant name ; 
Who loves the fleece more than the flock itself: 

A stigma on the Christian name. 

No puppet men are wanted here to teach, 

To show forth things they never knew, 
Like tinkling cymbals, and like sounding brass 

Like changing winds, like morning dew. 

But in the humble stand, the man of God appears, 

With zeal divine, and ardent love ; 
His soul yearns kindly o'er his fellow men, 

And longs to turn their thoughts above. 

They feel the flame ! they raise their notes of praise ; 

The forest echoes with their voice : 
Oh heart-felt joy ! they feel that heaven is near ; 

They in the love of God rejoice. 

Oh for that time ! when holy, heavenly power, 
Shall cleanse this fallen world from sin ; 

When every heart, the power of Christ shall prove, 
And life immortal feel within. 

J. W. B. 



ion 




THANKSGIVING. 

The first settlers of New England, having no regular set fa^ts 
and festivals in their church discipline, appointed days of fasting 
on special occasions, such as times of great mortality, scarcity of 
provisions, and times of public dangers in times of war. Days 
of Thanksgiving were appointed on occasions of great joy, such 
as the termination of Indian and French wars, remarkable deliv- 
erances from dangers, &c, and especially for abundant crops. 
This ancient practice is still kept up, and has been extended to 
many States of our Union, who now annually appoint a day of 
fasting and humiliation in the spring, and a day of Thanksgiving, 
generally in the last of November, of each year. The '' church 
going bell," summons the people to the house of God, where ihe 
preacher on these occasions, generally recounts the mercies ©f *He 
past and other years. The scattered members of each family 
meet under the paternal roof, and it is of gratitude, hilarity ami 
joy. 

The rolling year has well nigh fled ! Crowned 
with the mercy of our God each season passed away ! 
Our garners full ! enough for each, and all. The 



107 



father, grey with years, calls his offspring round ; 
the mother, with willing hand, prepares the dainty 
treat. The festive board groans with the choicest 
food. Brothers and sisters meet, in friendship dear, 
and chastened joy. 

This festal day, the happiest of the year, is hailed 
with joyful welcome. The aged sire, with fond re- 
membrance, and with grateful thanks, tells of the 
scenes of old. The young in years, blooming in 
life's fair morn, now meet in childish glee. The 
merry laugh, the noisy gambols of the joyous 
youth are heard around. 

In times of old. the red man of the forest shade, 
lurked round our Father's dwellings. Thirsting for 
blood, he raised the murderous hatchet, and aimed 
the swift-winged arrow fraught with death. His 
eye spared not the beauteous maiden bathed in tears, 
the whitened locks of age, nor infants smiling at 
their mother's breast. 

Oh give your thanks to God, for he is good and 
kind. The savage lurks around no more ! His 
fearful yells no longer rouse us from our midnight 
slumbers. His bloody hatchet, buried in earth, re- 
mains ; his knife is broken, and his arrow wings its 
deadly flight no more ! 

The men of France, with their dusky allies, 
moved from the north, with hostile steps. Red des- 
olation marks their path 'mid wintry snows : in silent 
watches of the night they burst in upon the sleeping 
villagers. In horror wakened, they fall in blood. 
The flames rise high ! the morning sun looks on the 
smoking ruins round. 

Give thanks ! The mother with her offspring at 
her breast, trembles no more ! The mighty ships 



108 



of France, freighted with death, are scattered by the 
tempest blast, or sunk like lead, beneath the mighty 
waters ! The foe's strong hold, high on the frowning 
rock, is taken, and on these western shores, he bears 
his sway no more. 

The hostile British hosts, pass o'er our land. 
Their path is marked by fire and blood. With iron 
power they strive to crush a people struggling to be 
free. With proud contemptuous scorn, they forge 
our chains. They claim the right divine, to guide 
our thoughts, to take our hard-earned bread, and 
lord it o'er our land. 

Give thanks ! that now no despots have the pow- 
er to say, where, when, and how, to worship God. 
Give thanks ! no one can take our children's bread 
to feed and pamper lordly pride. No royal pauper 
here, to feed and clothe, by the hard earnings of the 
laboring poor. We reap on soil we claim our own, 
and toil for those we love. 

Earth's struggling millions crushed to the dust, 
look upward with their longing eyes. The bow of 
Promise glows on dark'ning clouds, that flee before 
the orb of day. Give thanks ! The Despot's pow- 
er, hoary with age, grows weak ; fetters and chains, 
brown with the rust of time, now break away. 
With bosom bare, her eye on heaven, fair Truth 
advances, and the shades of night retire. A voice 
is heard above, that " God's unsufFering kingdom 
soon shall come !" 



109 




DISCOVERIES AND SETTLEMENTS. 

IN THE ORDER OF TIME. 

1492. Long centuries ago, the Genoese, 

The bold Columbus crossed the stormy seas, 
With courage bold, with spirit firm and brave, 
A land to find beyond the western wave. 

1497. Sebastian Cabot, son of Venice, came 

In later years, this new found land to claim, 
To find for unborn millions here a home, 
Where savage men alone were wont to roam. 

1512. Next Ponce de Leon, sought thy verdant bowers, 
Fair Florida, the lovely land of flowers ; 

1528. And next de Narvaez, with his hostile band, 
Sought to invade, and conquer this fair land. 



1535. Far to the North, where wild Canadians roam, 
Carlier]\he Frenchman, sought to find a home ; 
lo 



no 

1539. And in the South, De ISoto sought for gold, 
Where the great Mississippi's waters rolled 

1562! And next, the Frenchman Ribault, with his band, 
Of fearless exiles sought Columbia's strand, 
And near the blue Edisto, sought in vain, 
A home amid the western wilds to gain. 



1584. Raleigh, the knight, and soldier, bold and brave, 
Sent forth his comrades o'er the Atlantic wave, 
And this fair Southern State, Virginia named, 
From England's virgin Queen, in history famed. 



1586. Next Grenville, crossed the ocean with his band, 
A Colony to plant in this new land : 
Again, and yet again, come o'er the wave, 
Virginia's pioneers, the bold and brave. 



1602. Years passed away ; on Massachusetts shore, 
The daring Gosnold turned his prow of yore : 

1608. Next Chesapeake, brave Smith explored thy bay, 
And far Quebec, arose to mark the day. 



1609. Brave Hudson next, to this new country came, 
And blue Manhattan gave thy later name ; 

1611. Champlain, the Frenchman, many a year ago, 
His record left where silvery waters flow. 



1614. The sea-girt coast, throughout our country famed, 
By Charles the monarch, was New England 

named ; 
While Holland's sons filled fair Manhattans isle, 
And where New Jersey's fruitful tallies smile. 



1/1 

1620. And next the glorious " Pilgrim Fathers " came. 

To Plymouth rock, a spot endeared to fame ; 
1623. New Hampshire next, Columbia's Switzerland, 

Was peopled by the Pilgrim's hardy band. 

1627. Fair Pennsylvania, smiling Delaware, 

The Swedes, and Fins, first sought a dwelling the'-e 

1633. Next Maryland, the noble Baltimore, 

With his adherents sought thy fertile shore. 

1635. Then old Connecticut, along thy side, 
Thine early settlers laden vessels glide , 

Old Windsor still repeats the red man's name, 
And Hartford tells her early settlers fame. 

1636. Next dauntless Williams, with a spirit free, 
Rhode Island, found a hiding place in thee, 
A fugitive who gained a deathless fame, 

And with his country's annals linked his name. 

1637. New Haven next, city, and colony, 

Thy noble founders sought a home in thee ; 
1639. Next Narraganset in thy rolling bay, 

The vessels of fair Newport's settlers lay. 

For twelve bright years, behold new scenes arise ! 
Oh fair Columbia 'neath thy smiling skies, 
Connecticut, Rhode Island, Carolina fair, 
With bright New Jersey's annals mingling there. 

1682. Next Penn of memory well beloved and great, 
The ocean crossed to found a peaceful State ; 
A city where sweet Peace and Love should reign, 
And richest blessings follow in their train. 



112 

1682. While brave La Salle bestowed his monarch's 
name, 

Where now a home the generous Frenchmen claim; 
1702. And Louisiana, 'neath thy smiling skies, 

We next behold a New Orleans arise. 



1723. The settler turns to thee, Green Mountain State, 

And Trenton, linked with our young country's fate ; 
1733. The increasing tide fair Georgia moves to thee, 
1740. Exploring thy fair borders Tennessee, 

1749. Next Nova Scotia, on thy strand so bleak, 
The sons of Britain came a home to seek ; 

1765. To Tennessee and Carolina fair, 

New groups of hardy settlers now repair. 

1773. And fair Kentucky to thy fertile land, 

Came hunter Boone and his adventurous band ; 

1787. Next fair Ohio, 'neath thy smiling skies, 
Amid thy woods the log built cabins rise. 



113 




Scene at Letitiglon. 

WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 

EIGHT YEARS. 

1775. 

[The first year of the Revolution.'] 

[n seventeen hundred seventy-five began 
Our country's struggles for the rights of man : 
In Massachusetts, firm for freemen's right, 
On Lexington's green plain began the fight. 

On Bunker's bloody hill, where Warren fell, 
The sons of Freedom strong, their prowess tell ; 
And brave Montgomery, with ardor fired, 
Before Quebec, 'mid wintry snows expired. 

The people spurn their tyrant's hateful sway, 
The Royal Governors now flee away • 

10' 



114 

A youthful nation, (men, both bold and true,) 
For Freedom strong, now rises to the view. 

1776. 

ln " Seventy-six," George Third, the British king, 
Commands his Hessian soldiers, forth to bring 
Their burnished arms, and cross the stormy sea, 
To crush a people struggling to be free. 

Our fathers now their freedom strive to gain, 
Their Independence boldly now proclaim ; 
They pledged their " Fortunes, sacred Honor, Life," 
And periled all amid the deadly strife. 

Great Britain's hostile troops in proud array, 
New York they take, and onward press their way ; 
Our father's fled, but still for Freedom brave, 
At Trenton's fight, their bleeding country save. 

1777. 

In " Seventy-seven," from far Canadian snows, 
Behold Burgoyne advancing with our foes ; 
Let Bennington rehearse that foe's defeat, 
And Saratoga's plains, the tale repeat. 

Let Brandywine, our fathers prowess speak, 
And the bright waters of the Chesapeake : 
When driven from the land of peaceful Penn, 
Death's dangers darkened o'er our gallant men. 

And while the Patriots forced to quit the field, 
Resolved on Independence, scorned to yield ; 
" Mother of States, and Statesmen," still in thee, 
Was found a shelter for the noble free. 



115 

1778. 

In " Seventy-eight," from sunny France, a band 
Of gallant spirits, gave a brother's hand : 
And now, amid the clouds of gloomy fears. 
Freedom looked up, and brightly smiled through tears. 

Blue Narraganset, in thy rolling bay, 
The generous Frenchmen's freighted vessels lay ; 
While gallant Steuben, far from " Fatherland," 
In warlike science, gave his heart and hand. 

See fair Savannah, struggling with the foe, 
Behold within her walls the life blood flow : 
Now Carolina's plains were darkened o'er, 
With clouds of war, they feel the foemen's power. 

1779. 

In " Seventy-nine," through want and much distress, 
Our fathers still for Freedom onward press : 
Red ruin stalks around, the flames rise high, 
Norwalk, and Fairfield, low in ashes lie. 

O'er deep morass, o'er mountain, and o'er plain, 
Led by their brave commander, gallant Wayne, 
Our troops press on, at lonely midnight hour, 
The fort they gain, their foes they overpower. 

See now the red man with the foe allied, 
The " Continental " force, they now defied ; 
'Gainst Sullivan, their tribes they fight in vain, 
Their country wasted, and their warriors slain. 

1780. 

In " Eighty," Carolina ravaged by the foe, 
Beheld her gallant patriot sons laid low ; 
Her army close besieged, and forced to yield, 
Charleston now falls, and Britons gain the field. 



IJ6 



Cornwallis to the South, now bends his way, 
Gates he defeats, who flees with sore dismay, 
The foe stalks round, with haughty power and pride, 
With fire and sword spreads devastation wide. 

Arnold, a traitor's perjury is thine, 
The sword once laid on Freedoms sacred shrine, 
Against thy country's injured cause was turned, 
While patriot souls, the foul Apostate spurned 

1781 

Behold the routed foe on Cowpens field, 
By Morgan's gallant band compelled to yield ; 
While proud Cornwallis, forced at last to fly, 
And gallant Green's brave band, won victory. 

And northward still, the invading forces came, 
Invading peaceful homes, with sword and flame, 
While once again, from sunny France a fleet, 
Appeared our Father's sinking hearts to greet. 

Then quailed at last, our country's haughty foes, 
Then Freedom's sun, in glorious brightness rose ; 
At Yorktown with humiliation sore, 
Cornwallis yields : — the bloody strife is o'er. 



1/7 
UNITED STATES, 




Columbia ! land of Liberty — home of the brave and free ; 
The pilgrim sons of many a clime have found a home in thee ! 
Along thy wide-spread shore, the flag of every clime is furled, 
And Hope's prophetic eye still turns to greet this Western World. 



ITALY, 



Columbia ! centuries ago, the daring Genoese, 
The far off mighty West to seek, sailed over unknown seas: 
The pride and power of Italy, since then, have passed away ; 
The " Star of Empire" in the West has risen, since that day. 

Oh, Italy ! thine exile sons, in fair Columbia see 

The tokens of a mightier power than ever dwelt in thee ; 

The Eagle that unfurled its wing o'er Capitol ian dome, 

Broods o'er the Western Empire now, as once o'er ancient Rome. 




1/8 




SPAIN. 



Thy sons, fair Spain, were earliest here, from out thy orange bowers ; 
DeLeon sought sweet Florida, thy lovely land of flowers ; 
And proud de Narvaez gained thy shore, and with his warrior band 
In vain essayed, in olden time, to conquer this new land. 

Then, seeking for the golden stores of which the Spaniards told, 
Came brave DeSoto with his band, twelve hundred comrades bold ; 
He sought the flowery wilds beyond, and on, still on, he pressed, 
Where the dark Mississippi rolled, with calm majestic breast. 

What though the haughty Spaniard now, the Indian's dusky race, 
To children of a paler brow at last have given place 1 
Their sunny homes are southward still ; their names are storied o'er 
Along the blue Pacific wave, and Mexico's bright shore. 




FRANCE. 



Where once the wild Canadian tribes were wont of old to roam, 
The gay and generous Frenchmen came to seek another home, 
By fair Edisto's glancing stream, on Carolina's plain, 
And northward, 'neath a colder sky, along the blue Champlain. 

Thy sons, sweet France, throughout our land, are scattered far and 

wide ; 
Their place is seen where crystal waves of proud St. Lawrence 

glide ; 
By old Quebec's stern fortress rock ; by Montreal's dark towers ; 
And where of old the Hugenot sought Carolina's bowers. 



And Louisiana, through her fields, thy fame in music tells, 
And where the Mississippi's tide all proudly ebbs and swells ; 
And far from France, a New Orleans, the stately Southern Queen, 
A home is theirs, and Florida with vales of changeless green. 



119 




ORE AT BRITAIN. 



Old England hither sent her sons, in by-gone days of yore, 
When gallant Raleigh sent his fleet to old Virginia's shore, 
That whispers, in her name, the fame of England's virgin Queen, 
And Roanoke tells the tale along its banks of green. 

While Jamestown wears its laurels yet, Virginia tells with pride, 
Of noble sons and statesmen, still to Britain's blood allied ; 
And Massachusetts wears it yet her glory and her crown, 
That hoary Plymouth rock is hers, a spot of broad renown. 

Where first the Pilgrim sires set foot, a noble exile band, 
Whose sons are scattered far and wide, throughout our happy land ; 
Their sails are set on every stream, their feet on every shore ; 
They climb the mountains, tread the vales, and skim each ocean o'er. 



SWEDEN. 



Where the blue Baltic laves the rocks of Sweden's rugged strand, 
There came from out its forests dark, a hardy northern band ; 
A band of Swedes and Fins to seek a distant shore more fair ; 
The sylvan home of peaceful Penn, and smiling Delaware. 




mm 



NORWAY. 



Tradition tells not when these came, the children of the North, 
The bold Norwegians, from the land of waving forests forth, 
And left their rude memorials, Rhode Island, on thy shore, 
The relics of a hardy race, that lingers here no more. 

But on JVeto Jersey's fertile soil, along her verdant plains, 
Still courses old Norwegian blood, in hardy freemen's veins ; 
On Bergen's hills their homes they rear, and still they find a place, 
Strong, brave and firm for Freedom's rights, the bold Norwegian 
race. 



uo 




HOLLAND. 



Where sluggish streams roll slowly past, in Holland's distant land, 
There came to seek these western wilds a brave adventurous band ; 
Their dwellings in a stranger land, crowned fair Manhattan's isle, 
And where, past hills and banks of green, the Hudson's waters smile. 

Where rolled the " fresh" Connecticut, their vessels on its breast. 
Where lies a smiling city now, their fortress they possessed ; 
And o'er New Jersey's smiling plains their homes are scattered wide, 
And crown the verdant banks that line the blue Manhattan's side. 




GERMANY. 



And westward still they also turn, the noble, sturdy band 
Of patriot souls and loving hearts, from distant " Fatherland f* 
Old Pennsylvania tells their praise, and on the inland shore 
That lines our mighty chain of lakes, *heir feet have gone before. 

And still the tide comes sweeping in, and o'er the giant West ; 
The labor of their busy hands, the fertile soil hath blessed ; 
They build them there a happy home, they plant anew the vine, 
And in the broad Ohio, find another river Rhine. 



Thus let the mighty tide set in, from many a distant land ; 
We have for all an ample home, for all a welcome hand ; 
And what our land hath ever been, it is its pride to be, 
A refuge for the exile still, a dwelling for the free. e. 



121 



INTERESTING EVENTS, ANTIQUITIES, &c. 




ROUND TOWER AT NEWPORT, R. I. 
On the summit of the hiU, on the declivity of which Newport, R. 
I is built, is an interesting relic of antiquity usually denomi- 
nated the - Stone Mill." Some suppose it was built by the first set- 
tlers for a kind of wind mill, others believe that it was a watch tower, 
erected by the Scandinavians, or Northmen, long before the dis- 
rovery of Columbus. This last opinion is not without reason, as it 
is well known that about A.D. 1000, a number of Norwegian na- 
vigators visited our coast, and attempted to plant colonies. 1 his 
tower is about thirty feet in height, resting on arches supported by 
circular pillars. The top is without a roof, and the interior desti- 
tute of any fixtures. The stones of which it is constructed are 
small and appear to have been laid in a mortar made of sand and 
oyster shells, cementing the whole mass together like a solid rock. 
By whose hands erected, or for what purpose, no tradition remains 
to give an answer. 

From off this watch-tower's lonely height, 
What eyes looked o'er the waters dark, 
If. 



122 

And marked afar, the sail of white, 

The plunging prow, the wandering bark ? 
Who reared thy mystic wall 1 his name" 
I ask thee, but I ask in vain. 

Tell me, ye wild and dusky race, 

Who trod these hills and shores of old ? 

Can ye the mystic story trace 
In dark traditions ye have told ? 

Silent in death the warrior lies, 

No sign remains, no voice replies. 

Ye stormy winds that sweep on high, 
O'er the lone hill, with fitful wail ; 

Ye waves that sound your minstrelsy, 
Have ye no voice to tell the tale ? 

The winds sweep on, the wild wave roar, 

No voice will tell, on sea or shore. 

Was it the fierce and hardy band 

Of wandering Northmen, famed of old, 

Who left their far off rugged land 
Of waving pines, and endless cold, 

That helped this ancient wall to rear, 

And fought the warrior's battles here ? 

Deeds that the bards rehearsed in song ; 

Tales that the ancient sages told 
Of midnight revels, loud and long, 

Of shouts that crowned the warrior bold, 
Who drank the life blood of his foes, 

And chased the wolf o'er polar snows ? 

I ask in vain ! thou canst not tell 

Thy story of the hidden past ; 
The rolling seas may ebb and swell, 

And wildly howl the stormy blast, 
Still shall thou silent stand tu be 
A wonder and a mystery ! u. 6. 1 



123 




MORTAL SICKNESS AMONG THE INDIANS. 

About the year 16l8, just before the settlement of the 
colony at Plym uth, a mortal sickness or plague swept off 
the greater part of the Indians along the eastern shores 
of the United States. In 1619, Capt. Dermer, an Eng- 
lish adventurer, having wintered at an Indian town on 
the northern coast sailed southward on his way to Vir- 
ginia, and landed at several places where he had been 
before. He found many towns depopulated ; in others 
but few of the natives remained alive and those suffering 
from the disease which appears to have been a kind of 
plague, as they showed their sores and described those 
of which their companions died. 

The mortality among the Indians appears to have pre- 
vailed a number of years. In 1622, the Plymouth set- 
tlers went to Massachusetts (now Boston) to purchase 
corn of the natives ; they found them afflicted with a 
" great sickness not unlike the plague." It is stated by 



124 



creditable historians, that of the thirty thousand Indians 
composing the Massachusetts tribe only about three hun- 
dred were left alive. When the settlers arrived, in 
1620, they found the bones of those who had perished, 
in many places left unburied. At Plymouth, which was 
formerly a populous place, every human being had died 
of the pestilence. 

There appears to be considerable difference of opin- 
ion with regard to the nature of the disease which 
swept off so many of the natives. Some suppose it to 
have been the small pox, othei-3, the plague, which 
raged at this time in many parts of the world, while 
many suppose it to have been the yellow fever, as it was 
stated by some of the Indians who survived, that the 
bodies of their companions who died were " exceeding 
yellow all over before they died, and afterwards." 

Whatever the disease was, it appears to have broken 
down the spirits of the survivors, to that extent, that for 
a number of years they made but little opposition to the 
settlers. The following occurrences relative to this 
pestilence, have been related. A few years before the 
sickness, a French ship was wrecked on Cape Cod, but 
the men and cargo were saved. The natives, however, 
killed all but three or four of the crew and divided their 
goods. The men who were spared were sent to one 
tribe and another as slaves. One of them learned so 
much of their language as to tell them that God was 
angry with them for their cruelty and would destroy 
them and give their country to another people. They 
answered " that they were too many for God to kill." 
He replied "that God had many ways to kill of which 
they were ignorant." Afterwards, when the great pes- 
tilence came, they remembered the man's words, and 
when the Plymouth settlers arrived at Cape Cod they 
feared the other part of the prediction would soon bo 
accomplished. 



125 




Soldiers reposing by Porter's Rocks. 
EXPEDITION AGAINST THE PEQUOTS. 

The expedition in 1637 against the Pequot Indians in Connec- 
ticut, one of the most haughty and warlike tribes that ever existed 
in this country was a memorable event attended with remarkable 
circumstances. At this time the colony of Connecticut consisted 
of three towns, Hartford, Wethersfield and Windsor. The Pequots 
having murdered a number of the inhabitants and threatened the 
destruction of the whole colony, it was determined to make war 
against them. For this purpose ninety men were mustered at 
Hartford, being about half the efficient force of the whole colony. 
They were commanded by Captains Mason and Underhill, and 
were accompanied by Mr. Stone the teacher of the church at 
at Hartford, as chaplain. 

Previous to the marching of the expedition, tradition says th* 
soldiers were addressed in a most eloquent manner by Mr. Hook- 
er, the minister of Hartford. He told them that they were not as- 



126 

■cmbled by ferocious passions, but to secure safety for their wives 
and harmless babes, and above all the liberties, and lives of Christ's 
church in this new world. Their enemies had blasphemed God 
and slain his servants; you are only the ministers of his justice. 
They were ripe for destruction ; their cruelty was notorious ; and 
cruelty and cowardice are always united. " March, then," said 
he, " with Christian courage, and your enemies shall fall like leaves 
under your feet." 

The expedition having arrived at Saybrook fort, Capt. Mason 
and his officers being somewhat divided in opinion whether it 
would be best to march through the wilderness directly to the Pe- 
quot fort, or go round by the Narragansett country and endeavor 
to take the fort by surprise. In this state of affairs, the officers 
earnestly desired Mr. Stone, to pray that their way might be di 
rected, and that their enterprise might be crowned with success. 
Mr. Stone, accordingly, spent most of the night in prayer, and the 
next morning informed Capt. Mason that he had done as he h;id 
desired, and was entirely satisfied that the plan of going round by 
Narragansett was the best. The council of officers was again 
called, and they unanimously agreed with Mr. Stone. 

Having proceeded to the Narraganset country they were joined 
by about 200 of that tribe. From that place they went westward 
towards the Pequots. As the little army drew near the fort of the 
terrible Pequots many of the Indians betrayed much fear and re- 
tired into the rear. Uncas, however, with his Mohegans remained 
faithful. On the evening before the attack, they arrived at Porter's 
Rocks, near the head of Mystic, in Groton, where they encamped. 
" The men were faint and weary, and though the rocks were their 
pillows, their rest was sweet." 

About two hours before the da'wn of the 26th of May, the men 
were roused with all expedition, and briefly commending them- 
selves and their cause to God, marched to the fort, about two 
miles distant. The fate of Connecticut was to be decided by sev- 
enty-seven brave men. The barking of a dog, when within a few 
rods of the fort, aroused the sentinel, who cried out, Owannux ! 
Owannux ! i. e. Englishmen ! Englishmen ! Capt. Mason entered 
the fort, the enemy fought desperately, and the conflict seemed 
doubtful. Seizing a fire-brand, Capt. Mason set fire to a wigwam 
which set the whole fort in a blaze. The roar of the flames, the 
yells of the savages, the discharge of the musketry formed an aw- 
ful and terriffic scene. The destruction of the Pequots was terri- 
ble. Out of five or six hundred only fourteen escaped the fire and 
sword; of these seven were captured. The English lost but two 
men ; and about twenty wounded. Connecticut was saved, and 
the most warlike tribe in New England defeated and ruined. 



127 




DEATH OF MARQUETTE. 

Among the discoverers and many adventurers who came over to 
the new world, some appear to have been actuated by higher mo- 
tives than worldly gain, or honor. Of this class was James Mar- 
quette, a devoted French Catholic missionary, from Canada, tie 
was accompanied by M. Joliet, of Quebec, and five boatmen I his 
little company passed through the straits of Mackinac, and then 
passed over to the Mississippi, which they explored south, to a con- 
siderable extent. Through all their difficulties and wanderings, 
Father Marquette appears to have acted the part of a Christian mis- 
sionary, and endeavored to cultivate a spirit of peace and love 
among the Indians. On his return, May 18th, 1675, up Lake Mi- 
chigan, he proposed landing at the mouth of a small stream on the 
Peninsula, to perform religious devotions. Leaving his men with 
the canoe, he went apart to pray, they waiting for him. As much 
time passed, and he did not return, they called to mind that he said 
something of his death being at hand, and anxiously went to seek 
him They found him dead ; where he had been praying, he had 
died. His companions dug a grave near the mouth of the stream, 
and buried him in the sand. 



123 

Hark, hark ! a voice now calls thee from above, 
Servant of God ! thy work is nobly done ; 

The mission kind, thine embassy of love 
On earth is closed ; thy final victory's won. 

The fragile bark shall bear thee here no more, 
Through inland seas, and waters deep and wide ; 

'Mid rocky islets, and a rugged shore, 
Nor on the rapid Mississippi's tide. 

'Mid chilly wintry blasts, and fervid summer's glow, 
Through deserts wild, thy feet shall range no more, 

Or pass the prairie vast, or fields of snow ; 
Nor shall thou hear again Niagara's roar. 

No brilliant golden dreams did lure thee here 
To toil through this dark howling wilderness, 

'Twas love that drew thee on, devoid of fear, 
Thy God was ever with thee for to bless. 

No more amid these earthly scenes to sigh, 

Thy feeling heart w : li cease to swell with grief; 

The bitter tear no more shall fill thine eye, 
At sorrow where thou couldst not give relief. 

Oh press me not to criticise his creed ; 

Away with tests of sects, and bitter zeal ; 
Did he the naked clothe, the hungry feed ? 

And childlike, Christlike, in his spirit feel ? 

Yes, yes ! he felt the power of Christ within, 
In love, he scattered heavenly light abroad ; 

Faithful he lived in this dark world of sin, 
He rests above ! he sweetly rests with God. 

J. W. B. 



129 




Sacred music heard in the Wilderness. 



FIRST SETTLERS IN GRANVILLE, OHIO. 

The first settlers of Granville, Ohio, emigrated from 
Massachusetts, in the autumn of 1805, and were forty 
two days on their journey. Their first business on their 
arrival was to hear a sermon. The novelty of worship- 
ing in the woods, the forests extending every way for 
hundreds of miles, the dangers to which they were ex- 
posed, the hardships which they had undergone, with the 
thoughts of the homes they had left, all conspired to make 
this time one of deep interest. When they began to 
sing, the echo of their voices among the trees was so 
different from what it was in the beautiful meeting-house 
they had left, that they could no longer restrain their 
tears. Like the Jews of old, " They wept when they re- 
membered Zion." 

H appears that two or three years previous to this time, 
that Mr. Reese, a pious Welsh Baptist, had built a cabin 



130 

a mile or two north of where these settlers were located. 
While searching for his cattle, he ascended the hills near 
by, and heard the singing of the choir. The reverbera- 
tion of the sound from the hill tops and trees, threw the 
good man into a serious dilemma. The music at first 
seemed to be behind, then in the tops of the trees or the 
clouds. He stopped till he had caught the accurate direc- 
tion of the sound, and then passing the brow of the hill, he 
saw the audience sitting on the level below. He went 
home and told his wife that God's promises were sure, 
and that religion would finally prevail everywhere. He 
said, " these must be good people — I am not afraid to go 
among them." Though he could not understand Eng- 
lish yet he afterwards constantly attended their meetings. 

Hark, hark ! what voices rise in sweetest notes, 

Borne on the autumn breeze ; 
What strain of heavenly music floats 

Amid the whispering trees ? 

Is it a far off seraph angel song 

Comes downward from the skies, 
So sweetly swells, and rising «»•-- peals along 

In soirit melodies ? 

So asks the wondering good man as he strayed 

And heard the melting ray 
Rise o'er the valley, up the hill, the glade, 

Around his winding way. 

For only in these lonely wilds before 

His listening ear had heard 
The panther's horrid scream, the winds deep roar, 

Or notes of woodland bird. 



131 

It was new England's hardy wandering band, 

That gathered in these woods, 
Sang the sweet hymns of far off native land, 

Amid these solitudes. 

The dark old forests wild, re-echoed there 

The chorus as they sung, 
And with their sweetest notes of praise and prayer 

The woodland arches rung. 

The thoughts of distant home came back again, 

The sweet sad memories, 
And mournful tears were mingled with the strain 

That floated to the skies. 

But he who spell-bound paused that strain to hear, 

Glad on his way returned 
And told his household, one above was near 

Whose promise he had learned. 

Oh sweetest tones of heavenly melody, 

That on the stillness broke, 
It was our kindest Father's voice on high 

That with your music spoke. 

Not in the rolling thunder's awful voice, 

Not in the lightning's glare, 
But swelling tones that made the heart rejoice 

Proclaimed that God was there. 



132 




ATTACK ON BROOKFIELD 

In August, 1675, soon after the commencement of 
Philip's war, the little town of Brookfield, Mass., was 
attacked by the savages. The people of the village, 
about seventy persons in all, on the first alarm fled to a 
house slightly fortified, which was soon surrounded by 
the enemy, who, for two days and nights, endeavoured 
to destroy the house, or its inmates. For this purpose 
they shot burning arrows, and thrust long poles with fire- 
brands at the ends toward the house. This proving in- 
effectual, the savages filled a cart with hemp, flax and 
other combustible matter, and setting it on fire, thrust it 
forward towards the house by long poles spliced to- 
gether. The destruction of the poor people now seemed 
inevitable. At this critical time an unexpected shower 
of rain put out the fire. 



133 

Major Willard, at this time, was at Lancaster with a 
company of forty-eight horsemen, hearing of the critical 
8ituation of the people at Brookfield, hastened on about 
thirty miles, and reached the besieged garrison in the 
night. A drove of cattle which had been frightened from 
the place by the yells and firing of the Indians, happen- 
ing to be on the route, which Major Willard took, fell 
into his rear, and followed him into the village. The 
Indians " hearing the noise of a great host" fled like the 
Syrians that were encamped against Samaria. 

The villagers in terror fled, dismayed, 

Beneath an humble roof a shelter made, 

Pursued by foes with deadly hate inspired. 

Their herds are scattered, and their homes are fired. 

The murderous fiery arrow flies in vain, 
See now on wheels they forward send the flame : 
God only now can save — on him thay call, 
Their cry is heard : the rain-drops quickly fall. 

Quenched is the flame, but still the foes draw near, 
But God protects them, and they feel no fear ; 
A troop of horsemen through the twilight shade, 
Are heard far off; they come to give them aid. 

The noise of trampling hoofs is heard around, 
The scattered cattle in the troop are found, 
The savage band now deem that hosts are nigh. 
And quick into their native forests fly. 

So thus Samaria lay besieged of old, 

As in the page of holy writ 'tis told : 

The warlike Syrian hosts were made to hear 

The sound of horses, chariots, thundering near. 

With wild amaze, they trembling, quickly fled, 
The city's saved, the famished poor are fed ; 
So thus the Lord will guard with kindly care 
His suffering chosen people everywhere. 
1? 



134 




DESTRUCTION OF SCHENECTADY. 

In the war between England and France, the French, 
when they were in the possession of Canada, incited the 
Indians to fall on the frontier settlements, and often ac- 
companied them in their expeditions. On February 8th, 
1690, a body of 200 French and fifty Mohawk Indians, 
after marching twenty-two days, came to Schenectady. 
On Saturday evening, about midnight, the French and 
Indians entered the place through a gate which had been 
carelessly left open. In order that every house might be 
surprised nearly at the same time, they divided them- 
selves into parties of six or seven each. The inhabi- 
tants were in a deep sleep, an d the first notice they had 
of the enemy was given by their horrid yells at their 
doors. In this dreadful surprise and consternation it was 
in vain to resist, and this wretched people became an 
easy prey to their enemies after suffering the most horrid 
atrocities too shocking to relate. 



l'J5 

Sixty-three persons were killed and twenty-seven carried into 
captivity. A few persons effected their escape towards Albany 
with no other covering but their night clothes, the distress of whose 
condition was mueh enhanced by a great fall of snow, twenty-five 
of whom lost their limbs from the severity of the frost. 

It was the hour of night, 

And weary eyes had closed in quiet sleep, 
And hearts were revelling in the visions bright, 
The happy dreams that come with slumber's deep : 
Stern, wintry freezing midnight reigns around 
All, all is hushed in silence, deep, profound. 

• 
And far around was spread 

The fleecy mantle of the winter's snow, 
The trees were stiff* with ice : all foliage dead, 
And the dark earth lay frozen far below. 
No faithful sentry paced their dwellings past, 
Or braved that midnight hour, the freezing blast. 

There seemed no danger nigh ; 

And thus they slept, unconscious yet of ill ; 
Hark, hark ! close by, the savage fearful cry 
Bursts on the chilly air, the war-cry shrill ! 
Rouse, rouse from sleep ! the foe, the foe is near ! 
With fearful shouts, their horrid forms appear. 

Hear on the midnight air 

A voice of wailing with the savage yell, 
The child's faint shriek, the mother's dying prayer, 
The piercing cry for mercy wildly swell, 
And flashing see, where blood in streams is poured 
The Indian's tomahawk, and the Frenchman's sword. 

Oh, wild and fearful night ! 

Oh night of horror ! thus to usher in 
That Sabbath day of rest, of calm delight 

Which they were wont with praises to begin, 
Now scattered wide, the morning's early glow 
Showed blackened ashes round, and blood-stain'd snow. 



r>6 




ESCAPE OF THE DUSTAN FAMILY. 

On the 15th of March, 1697, the Indians made a des- 
perate attack upon Haverhill, Mass., murdering and cap- 
turing nearly forty of the inhabitants. They approached 
the house of Thomas Dustan, who was at that time en- 
gaged at his daily labor. Mr. Dustan hearing the yells 
of the savages, seized his gun, mounted his horse, and 
hastened to his house with the hope of hurrying them to 
a place of safety. His wife (who had been recently 
confined) was trembling for her safety, and the children 
weeping and calling on their mother for protection. He 
instantly ordered seven of his children to fly in an oppo- 
site direction from that in which the danger was ap- 
proaching, and went himself to assist his wife. But he 
was too late — before she could rise from her bed the 
Indians were upon them. 



137 

Seeing there was no hope of saving his wife, Mr. 
Dustan mounted his horse, and rode full speed after his 
flying children. The agonized father supposing it im- 
possible to save but one, determined to seize the one 
most dear to him and leave the rest to their fate. He 
looked for the favorite child from the eldest to the 
youngest but he could not find it, all called him father, 
and stretched out their little hands toward him for pro- 
tection. He could not make a selection, and therefore 
resolved to live or die with them all. 

A party of the Indians pursued Mr. Dustan as he flea 
from the house in pursuit of him and his children. He 
dismounted from his horse, placed himself in the rear of 
his children, and returned the fire of the enemy often and 
with good success. In this manner he retreated for 
more than a mile, alternately encouraging his children 
and loading and firing his gun, until they all arrived at a 
place of safety. 

Mrs. Dustan also escaped in a most remarkable man- 
ner. After killing her infant, the Indians took her and 
her nurse off with them to a small island, since called 
Dustan's Island, in the river above Concord, in New 
Hampshire. After staying here for a short time, they 
were informed that they must soon start for a distant set- 
tlement, where they would be obliged to run the gauntlet 
stripped of their clothing. This they determined to avoid 
or perish in the attempt. Being assisted by an English 
lad, and arming themselves with tomahawks, they arose 
in the night, and when the Indians were asleep killed ten 
of twelve Indians on the island, took off their scalps, 
sailed down the river and made their escape to the set- 
tlements. 



IV 



138 




BURIAL OF MR. TREAT. 

One of the greatest snows in this country fell in February, 1717. 
It was so deep that people stepped out of their chamber windows 
on snow shoes. With the fall of snow there was a great tempest 
which was so violent that all communication with near neighbors 
for a time ceased. Great numbers of cattle were destroyed, many 
of whom were found dead standing on their feet as if alive many 
week3 afterwards, when the snow had melted away. 

It was during this storm that Mr. Treat, the first min- 
nister at Eastham, on Cape Cod, died. He was distin- 
guished for his evangelical zeal and labors, not only 
among his own people, but also among the Indians in his 
vicinity ; and he was the instrument of converting many 
of them to the Christian faith. He learnt their language, 
visited them at their wigwams, and by his kindness and 
affability, won their affections ; they venerated him as 
their pastor, and loved him as their father. At the time 



139 

of his death the roads were impassable owing to the 
great depth of snow. His body was therefore kept sev- 
eral days, till an arch could be dug through which it 
could be borne to the grave, the Indians, at their earnest 
request, being permitted, in turn, to carry the corpse, and 
thus pay the last tribute of respect to the remains of their 
beloved pastor. 

They bore him to his grave, 

Not through the vallies clothed in smiling green, 
They saw not round their path the long grass wave, 

Nor the blue sky above, with smiles serene. 

They laid him down to rest, 

Not in the church-yard where his fathers lay ; 
No waving willows murmured o'er his breast, 

No summer birds made music on the spray. 

No ! through the chilling snow, 

Whose fleecy mantle far and wide was spread, 
When the cold earth lay frozen far below, 

With steps unequal, bore they on their dead. 

On through the bitter cold, 

The Indians bore their pastor to his rest ; 
Deep in that snowy mantle's chilly fold, 

And the white shroud of winter on his breast. 

But in that world of Light, 

To which so oft he turned their spirit's gaze, 
Trusting that he had joined the Seraphs bright, 

That ever dwell 'neath Eden's noontide rays. 

Where there shall be no snow, 

No tempest blast, but endless summer reigns, 
And Life's fair River sparkles in the glow 

Of Heaven's own glory o'er these boundless plains ! 

E. G. B. 



140 




SWEDISH CHURCH AT WILMINGTON, DEL. 

The first permanent settlements along the Delaware 
were made by the Swedes. The successful enterprise 
of the Dutch at New Amsterdam, (New York,) awa- 
kened the attention of Gustavus Adolphus, the illustrious 
monarch of Sweden, who now determined to plant a 
colony in the new world. His death, in 1632, prevented 
his main project, but it was revived, on a smaller scale, 
under the minority of Queen Christiana, and a number of 
Swedish vessels were sent to the Delaware with colo- 
nists. They first landed on a spot near Cape Henlopen, 
and were so charmed with the appearance of the place 
that they called it Paradise. They proceeded up the river 
and made a settlement on Christiana Creek. As " the 
Swedes never left their religion behind them" they paid 
the earliest attention to its institutions. The church rep- 
resented in the engraving was built of stone in 1698, 
near the banks of the Christiana. It is said that the 
Swedish women assisted in its erection, by preparing 
mortar, and conveying it to fhe workmen. 



141 



O'er the Atlantic's wilderness of waters 

From the far Northland, cold, and bleak, and dark, 

There came a band of Sweden's sons and daughters, 
And hither turned their wandering storm- t«ss'd bark. 

Here from the hearths of new found homes repairing, 
Thro' long long days of toil, their church they reared, 

Here women came, their cheerful labor sharing, 
With heart and hand and smile their labor cheered. 

Here bowed the matron, and the blue eyed maiden, 
And stalwart manhood, stout of heart and hand ; 

The " faint old man," with years and labor laden, 
The grey-haired pastor of the exile band. 

And while the shadows, in the east are speading 

Their sombre mantle over earth and sea, 
With reverent steps, his lowly pathway treading, 

Relic of olden time, I come to thee ! 

Scathed by the tempest, dark with years, and hoary, 
Thy tower is crowned with fading sunlight now, 

Pure as the halo, with its golden glory, 
Old painters wreathed around some sainted brow. 

How changed the scene ! the Swedish sires have slumbered 
For many a year, beside this silver stream ; 

Those days of old, by hoary ages numbered, 
Have fled with all their changes, like a dream. 

In the sweet blush, the snowy sails are gleaming, 

Fair Christiana, on thy placid breast, 
Floating like white-winged spirits in our dreaming, 

Slowly and softly past this place of rest. 

Years, that have marked the rise and fall of nations, 
Have smiled on Sweden's lone and exile band, 

Have seen amid earth's widening generations, 
Their beauteous homes that rise in this fair land. 

Farewell old church ! rrlay coming years long spare thse. 

To be as now, a spot of broad renown, 
And the green banks of Christiana wear thee, 

A fadeless gem, amid old History's crown. e. g. b 



142 




CHURCH OF THE BLIND PREACHER. 

The above is a representation of a wooden building in 
a forest near the little village of Gordonville, Orange 
county, about seventy miles from Richmond, Va. Though 
an humble structure, yet it possesses a peculiar interest, 
from its being the building in which was heard the thrill- 
ing eloquence of the " Blind Preacher" so enthusiasti- 
cally described by Mr. Wirt in the celebrated work en- 
titled the " British Spy." This blind preacher was James 
Waddel, D.D., for a long period a Presbyterian clergy- 
man in Virginia, who died in 1805, at the age of seventy 
years. In the latter part of his life he was afflicted with 
blindness, and it was during this period, in 1803, he was 
heard by Mr. Wirt. 

It was one Sunday "(says Mr. Wirt,) as I travelled 
through the county of Orange, that my eye was caught 
by a cluster of horses tied near a ruinous old wooa^n 
house in the forest, not far from the road side. Having 



143 



frequently seen such objects before in travelling through 
these states, I had no difficulty in understanding that this 
was a place of religious worship. 

Devotion alone should have stopped me, to join in the duties of 
the congregation; but I must confess to hear the preacher of Mich 
a wilderness was not the least of my motives. On entering, I was 
struck with his preternatural appearance. He was a tall and very 
spare old man. His head, which was covered with a white linen 
cap, his shrivelled hands, and his voice, were all shaking under the 
influence of a palsy ; and a few moments ascertained to me that he 
was perfectly blind. 

The first emotions which touched my breast were those of ming- 
led pity and veneration. But ah ! sacred God ! how soon were all 
my feelings changed ! The lips of Plato were never more worthy 
of a swarm of bees, than were the lips of this holy man ! It was a 
day of the administration of the sacrament ; and his subject, of 
course, was the passion of our Saviour. I had heard the subject 
handled a thousand times. I had thought it exhausted long ago. 
Little did I suppose that in the wild woods of America I was to 
meet with a man whose eloquence would give to this topic a new 
and more sublime pathos than I had ever before witnessed. 

As he descended from the pulpit to distribute the mystic symbols, 
there was a peculiar, a more than human solemnity in his air and 
manner, which made my blood run cold and my whole frame 
shiver. 

He then drew a picture of the sufferings of our Saviour; his trial 
before Pilate ; his ascent up Calvary ; his crucifixion, and his death. 
I knew the whole history ; but never, until then, had I heard the 
circumstances so selected, so arranged, so colored ! It was all 
new, and I seemed to have heard it for the first time in my life. 
His enunciation was so deliberate that his voice trembled on every 
syllable, and every heart in the assembly trembled in unison. Hi9 
peculiar phrases had that force of description that the original scene 
appeared to be, at that moment, acting before our eyes. We saw 
the very faces of the Jews : the staring, frightful distortions of malice 
and rage. We saw the buffet ; my soul kindled with a flame of 
indignation, and my hands were involuntarily and convulsively 
clenched. 

But when he came to touch on the patience, the forgiving meek- 
ness of our Saviour; when he drew, to the life, his blessed eyes 
streaming in tears to heaven ; his voice breathing to God a gentle 
prayer of pardon on his enemies, " Father, forgive them, for they 
know not what they do" — the voice of the preacher, which had all 
along faltered, grew fainter and fainter, until his utterance being 



114 



ent-rely obstructed by the force of his feelings, he raised his hand- 
kerchief to his eyes, and burst into a loud and irrepressible flood of 
grief. The effect is inconceivable. The whole house resounded 
with the mingled groans, and sobs, and shrieks of the congrega- 
tion. 

It was some time before the tumult had subsided so far as to per- 
mit him to proceed. Indeed, judging by the usual, but fallacious 
stand of my own weakness, I began to be very uneasy for the situ- 
ation of the preacher. For I could not conceive how he would be 
able to let his audience down from the height to which he had 
wound them, without impairing the solemnity and dignify of his 
subject, or perhaps shocking them by the abruptness of the fall. 
But — no ; the descent was as beautiful and sublime as the elevation 
had been rapid and enthusiastic. 

The first sentence, with which he broke the awful silence, was a 
quotation from Rousseau," Socrates died like a philosopher, but 
Jesus Christ like a God." 

This man has been before my imagination ever since. A thou- 
sand times, as I rode along, I dropped the reins of my bridle, 
stretched forth my hand, and tried to imitate his quotation from 
Rousseau ; a thousand times I abandoned the attempt in despair, 
and felt persuaded that his peculiar manner and power arose from 
an energy of soul which nature could give, but which no human 
being could justly copy. In short, he seems to be altogether a 
being of a former age, or of a totally different nature from the rest 
of men. As I recall, at this moment, several of his striking at- 
titudes, the chilling tide, with which my blood begins to pour 
along my arteries, reminds me of the emotions produced by the 
first sight of Gray's introductory picture of his bard : 

" On a rock, whose haughty brow, 

Frowns o'er old Conway's foaming flood, 
Robed in the sable garb of woe, 

With haggard eyes the poet stood ; 
(Loose his beard and hoary hair 
Streamed, like a meteor, to the troubled air:) 
And with a poet's hand and prophet's fire, 
Struck the deep sorrows of his lyre." 



145 




THE NEW HAVEN SPECTER SHIP. 
The first settlers of New Haven, Conn , were principally mer- 
chants from London, men of substance, piety, and moral worth. 
Thev intended to found a commercial colony, but the attempt 
proved unsuccessful. In 1647, they freighted a ship for England, 
with the greater part of their merchandize, having on board 
several of their principal men. After cutting for her a passage 
through the ice, the ship left New Haven harbor in the month oi 
January She was supposed to have foundered at sea, as she was 
never heard of afterwards. The following Spring no tidings 
having arrived of the ship, the pious people of the Colony were 
led to pray "that God would let them know (if it was his 
pleasure) the fate of their friends." In the ensuing June, (as it 
is related by Rev. Mr. Pierpont,) after a great thunder storm, 
about an hour before sunset, the sky being serene a ship like 
that which they fitted out, appeared in the air, for about halt an 
hour under full sail, from the mouth of the harbor, directly against 
the wind. This strange occurrence drew out many spectators. 
The vessel at length came so near as to be apparently within a 
stone's throw of those on shore. At this time her ■masting 
eeerned to be blown off; her hull overset, and finally ail appear- 
13 



146 

ances vanished into the clear air. It is supposed by some that 
this appearance in the clouds was caused by a reflection of a 
ship sailing at the time, on the ocean, south of the harbor. 
However this may be, the New Haven people considered it as 
an answer to their prayers, whereby the fate of the vessel and 
their friends were mercifully made known. 

Mid wintry storms and ice, the Pilgrim bark, 
freighted with forest riches, moves with the swell- 
ing sail. The icy barrier strong, removed, she 
onward plows her way. She bears on board 
the men of high born souls, and courage bold. 
Mid mutual prayers and tears, they leave their 
loved companions on these western wilds, and 
venture on the ocean wide. 

The wintry blasts are hushed. Fair is the 
opening flower that springs to life amid the 
withered foilage of the departed year. The sum- 
mer's sun advances, and the wide earth rejoices 
in his coming beams. The hills and dales, the 
forests high and wide, all, all, are clothed in living 
green. The notes of birds as yet unknown, warble 
on high at morning's dawn. When evening's 
shades appear, myriads of voices from the low 
earth, and shady pools around, lull the tired laborer 
to repose. 

Oft to the south, the pilgrims turn their eyes to 
see the swelling sail coming with those they love. 
They look in vain ! The ocean rises and falls 
again : now roaring, foaming, lashed into fury 
by the whirlwind storm, or in calm repose with 
glassy surface, brightly gleaming 'neath the noon- 
tide sun, or in the softer beams of the pale moon 
by night. 

Summer advances ; and the earth gives promise 
of the harvest full. But the hope of the lone 
strangers grows lesser still, for those that ventured 



147 



on the mighty deep. Their thoughts 

arise to Him who holds the winds and waves, 
and rules above, below. With due submission 
to His will, they ask to know the fate of those 
they love. 

The heavens grow black with clouds ; 



the lightnings flash, the thunder rolls ; the storm 

roars wildly round. The storm is o'er ; 

the winds are still. The herbs and flowers with 
rainbow hues display their beauty bright ; tht tall 
tree lifts its green head on high, and all the earth 
around is clad in beauteous green, and every herb, 
and flower, and tree, praise Him above, with fall- 
ing tears of joy, that glisten in the parting beams 
of day. 

A sight, now passing strange, appears ! On to 
the south, mid cloudy vapors high, a ship with 
swelling sails is seen. Onward she comes direct 
against th' opposing breeze. Nearer, and to the 
wondering eye the long lost ship appears. But 
lo ! the shadowy form now fast dissolves. The 
masts are blown away. The bark so bravely 
riding, is seen dismantled, and overturning soon 
in shadowy mists ascends on high. 

The pilgrim prayer is heard. They read 

its answer in the misty cloud. Their ship is 
wrecked amid the mighty waters, and their friends 
have sunk into their ocean graves amid the foam- 
ing billows. Great God ! unfathomed are 

thy ways, yet we believe thee good and kind. 
Though loud the tempest howls, though lightnings 
flash, and the loud thunders shake creation wide, 
yet calmly on thy throne above, thou rulest all, 
and^doest all things well. 



148 




BURIAL OF DE SOTO. 

In May, 1539, Ferdinand De Soto, who had served und^r 
Pizarro in the conquest of Peru, landed in Florida. He had 
asked and ohtained permission of the king of Spain to conquer 
Florida, at his own cost. Lured by the hope of finding gold, a 
body of upwards of thirteen hundred men were collected, many 
of whom were of the nobility of Spain. He penetrated into the 
country northward of the Gulf of Mexico, and wandered about 
in search of the precious metals, exposed to famine, hardships, 
and opposition of the natives. In this extraordinary expedition 
of more than four years' duration, more than half the men 
perished. Having arrived at the mouth of Red River, on the 
Mississippi, De Soto died under the weight of his troubles, and 
his companions, to conceal his death from the Indians, sunk his 
remains in a hollow oak in the waters of the Mississippi. 

Not with the proud array, 
That through the forest in its splendor passed, 
The whispering pines, high arching o'er their way 1 . 
And the bright banners to the breezes cast. 



149 

When came the soldier brave, 
The cavalier with glancing sword and plume, 
The flower of chivalry, from o'er the wave, 

Where Spain's bright bowers in fadeless beauty bloom. 

The dark robed priest was there, 
Bearing the cross amid that soldier band ; 
The trumpet's thrilling voice burst through the air, 
And joyous voices hailed this new found land. 

There pranced the fiery steed, 
The Andalusian charger, o'er the sod, 
Proudly, as bearing home to glory's meed, 
His lord, the fields of old Castile he trod. 

And smiling far away, 
Wooing them on, still on, to orange bowers ; 
In the blue distance Louisiana lay, 

And all their path wound through a land of flowers 

Not with this proud array, 
They bore De Soto near the flowing tide, 
From where within his soldier's camp he lay, 

And none dare weep when this brave soldier died. 

In Mississippi's wave, 
Where its dark water's turbid currents flow, 
The hollow oak his coffin, and his grave 
The river's bed, full many a fathom low. 

Where were the visions bright 
That bade his followers hearts beat proud and high 1 
All vanished, bearing with them in their flight, 
The thought of conquest, power, and pageantry. 

So fade the dreams of earth, 
The golden drains of pride, and pomp, and power, 
Perish alike with hopes that gave them birth, 
The fair, frail offspring of a parting hour. 

E. O. B. 

13* 



150 







CHIEF JUSTICE MARSHALL. 

It is not long since a gentleman was traveling in one of the 
counties of Virginia, and about the close of the day stopped at 
a public house to obtain refreshment and spend the night. He 
had been there but a short time, before an old man alighted from 
his gig, with the apparent intention of becoming a fellow guest 
with him at the same house. As the old man drove up, he ob- 
served that both the shafts of his gig were broken, and that they 
were held together by withes formed from the bark of a hickory 
sapling. Our traveler observed further that he was plainly clad, 
that his knee buckles were loosened, and that something like 
negligence pervaded his dress. Conceiving him to be one of the 
honest yeomanry of our land, the courtesi^ of strangers passed 
between them, and they entered the tavern. It was about the 
same time that an addition of three or four young gentlemen was 
made to their number; most, if not all of them of legal profes- 
sion. 

As soon as they became conveniently accommodated, the 
conversation was turned, by one of the latter, upon an eloquent 
harangue which had that day been displayed at the bar. It was 
replied by the other, that he had witnessed, the same day, a de- 



gree of eloquence no doubt equal, but that it was from the pulpit. 
Something like a sarcastic rejoinder was made to the eloquence 
of the pulpit ; and a warm and able altercation ensued, in which 
the merits of the Christian religion became the subject of dis- 
cussion. From 6 o'clock until 11, the young champions wielded 
the sword of argument, adducing, with ingenuity and ability, 
every thing that could be said, pro and con. During this pro- 
tracted period, the old gentleman listened with all the meekness 
and modesty of a child, as if he was adding new information to 
the stores of his own mind ; or perhaps, he was observing, with 
philosophic eyes, the faculties of the youthful mind, and how 
new energies are evolved by repeated action ; or, perhaps, with 
patriotic emotion, he was reflecting upon the future destinies of 
his country, and on the rising generation upon whom those 
destinies must devolve ; or, most probably, with a sentiment of 
moral and religious feeling, he was collecting an argument, 
which, characteristic of himself, no art would be " able to elude, 
and no force to resist." Our traveler remained a spectator, and 
took no part in what was said. 

At last one of the young men, remarking that it was impossi- 
ble to combat with long and established prejudices, wheeled 
around, and with some familiarity exclaimed, " Well, my old 
gentleman, what think you of these things V If, said the 
traveler, a streak of vivid lightning had at that moment crossed 
the room, their amazement could not have been greater than it 
was with what followed. The most eloquent and unanswerable 
appeal was made for nearly an hour by the old gentleman that 
he had ever heard or read ; so perfect was his recollection that 
every argument urged against the Christian religion, was met 
in the order in which it was advanced. Hume's sophistry on 
the subject of miracles was, if possible, more perfectly answered 
than it had already been by Campbell. And in the whole lecture 
there was so much simplicity and energy, pathos and sublimity, 
that not another word was uttered. An attempt to describe it, 
said the traveler, would be an attempt to paint the sunbeams. 
It was immediately a matter of curiosity and inquiry who the 
old gentleman was ; the traveler concluded it was the preacher, 
from whom the pulpit eloquence had been heard ; but no, it was 
the Chief Justice of the United States. — American Anecdotes. 



152 




DR. FRANKLIN AND THE PICTURE OF THE CRUCIFIXION 

The following anecdote of Dr. Franklin, the American states- 
man and philosopher, is related upon good authority. As the 
doctor, after a long and eventful life, lay upon his death-bed, 
some weeks before he expired, he requested his old nurse, Sarah 
Humphries, of the Society of Friends, to bring into his room a 
picture of the crucifixion which he had in his collection. His 
face brightened up as he looked at it ; and he said, " Aye, Sarah, 
there's a picture worth looking at ! that's the picture of Him who 
came into the world to teach men to love one another !" He 
requested her to put it up over the mantel piece, where he could 
see it constantly as he lay in his bed. He was often times ob- 
served looking at it with attention, and it appears that his last 
look was directed to the representation of Him " who went about 
doing good." 

" Place it before my failing eyes, 
That I may view in silence now, 
The suffering victim as he dies, 

The streaming side, the saint-like brow. 



153 

; Tis he, the wonderous Son of God. 

Who from the Father's throne above, 
The paths of earth in meekness trod, 

And taught us here that "God is love." 

'Tis he, whose yearning heart could feel 
The tears, the woes of all mankind : 

Who came the sick, the maimed to heal, 
And pardon for the guilty find." 

So spake the statesman, in the hour 
Which closes life's eventful day, 

W T hen its bright dreams of fame and power, 
Like morning vapors pass away. 

Around his brow, the wreath of fame 
A nation's hand had proudly placed : 

In other lands, a Franklin's name 
On glory's brilliant page was traced. 

Yet not his philosophic themes, 

Nor Science, with enlightening power, 

Nor manhood's proud and lofty dreams, 
Could cheer like this his dying hour. 

No precepts of a by-gone age, 
No schemes of proud philosophy, 

No ancient hero, saint, or sage, 

Could boast of deeds so great and high. 

What love so sacred, so sincere ! 
For enemies, the God-like died ! 
" Oh ! let me see, and feel him near, 
Oh ! let me view the crucified." 



154 




BARON STEUBEN AND LIEUT. GIBBONS 

The Baron Steuben was a German officer of distinction under 
Frederic the Great, King of Prussia, who came over to America 
as a volunteer, and introduced a military system of order and 
discipline into the American army. At a review, the Baron 
caused Lieut. Gibbons, a brave and valuable officer, to be arrested 
and ordered into the rear, for a fault which it appeared afterwards 
another had committed. At a proper moment, the commander 
of the regiment came forward and informed the Baron of his mis- 
take, and of Lieut. Gibbons' accute feelings under his unmerited 
disgrace. " Desire him to come to the front," said the Baron. 
Taking off his hat, although raining at the time, he, addressing 
the lieutenant, said : " Sir, the mistake which was made, might, 
in the presence of an enemy, been attended with fatal conse- 
quences. I arrested you as its author, but I have reason to believe 
I was mistaken. I therefore ask your pardon. Return to your 
command. I would not deal unjustly by any ; much less by one 
whose character as an officer is so respectable." 

"After the capture at Yorktown, the superior offi- 
cers of the American army, together with their allies, 



155 



vied with each other in acts of civility and attention to 
the captive Britons. Entertainments were given by all 
the major-generals except Baron Steuben. He was 
above prejudice or meanness, but poverty prevented 
him from displaying that liberality towards them which 
had been shown by others. Such was his situation, 
when, calling on Col. Stewart, and informing him of 
his intention to entertain Lord Cornwallis, he requested 
that he would advance a sum of money, as the price of 
his favorite charger. ''Tis a good beast,' said the 
baron, ' and has proved a faithful servant through all 
the dangers of the war ; but, though painful to my 
heart, we must part.' Col. Stewart immediately ten- 
dered him his purse, recommending the sale or pledge 
of his watch, should the sum prove insufficient. ' My 
dear friend,' replied the baron, * 'tis already sold. Poor 
North was sick, and wanted necessaries. He is a 
brave fellow, and possesses the best of hearts. The 
trifle it brought is set apart for his use. My horse must 
go — so no more. I beseech you not to turn me from 
my purpose. I am a major-general in the service of 
the United States ; and my private convenience must 
not be put in a scale with the duty which my ranks 
imperiously calls upon me to perform.' " 

The principal part of the town of Steuben, in Oneida County, 
State of New York, was granted to Baron Steuben for his ser- 
vices in the revolutionary war. He resided on his farm on this 
tract till his death. The annexed inscription to his memory 
was formerly on a tablet on the wall of the German Lutheran 
Church in the city of New York : — 

" Sacred to the memory of Frederick William Augustus Baron Steuben, 
a German ; knight of the order of fidelity ; aid-de-camp to Frederick the 
Great, king of Prussia ; major-general and inspector-general in the revolu- 
tionary war ; esteemed, respected, and supported by Washington. He 
gave military skill and discipline to the citizen soldiers, who, fulfilling the 
decrees of heaven, achieved the independence of the United States. The 
highly polished manners of the baron were graced by the most noble feel- 
ings of the heart. His hand, open as day for melting charity, closed only 
in the strong grasp of death. This memorial is inscribed by an American, 
who had the honor to be his aid-de-camp, the happiness to be his friend. 
Ob. 1795." 



150 




THE FAITHFUL INDIAN MESSENGER. 

In 1788, a number of the citizens of Massachusetts sent a 
Committee into the Indian country of the Six Nations, to treat 
with the natives for a tract of land. After the Committee had 
arrived it beeame necessary for one of them (Major Schuylei) 
to write to the commanding officer at Fort Niagara for his assist- 
ance to negociate the treaty. An Indian messenger undertook 
to carry the letter to Niagara, and bring back the answer. In 
the meantime, Maj. Schuyler was taken sick, and sent towards 
Albany. The messenger returned with a letter to Maj. Schuyler, 
and not observing him among the Committee, refused to deliver it 
to any one else. They offered him fifty dollars if he would deliver 
it ; but he spurned the offer. They then threatened to take it 
by force. When this was interpreted to him, he sternly clenched 
the letter in one hand, and his knife in the other, threatened 
" he would plunge it into his own breast before he would be 
guilty of a breach of trust." He was accordingly suffered to go 
after Major Schuyler, and perform his engagement. 

Oh ! not alone on Christian ground 
The noblest hearts are found. 



157 

Nor Nature's dark untutored child, 

On desert sands, or forest wild, 

In God's own image made, retains 

Some gleams of brightness mid his stains ; 

Some scattered wrecks of the divine, 

That in his fallen nature shine. 

So with the forest's dusky child, 
Though reared in regions dark and wild, 
Though known not by a Christian name, 
Untaught what Honor's laws may claim, 
His noble soul no bribe can lure, 
He holds his missive still secure, 
No threats can shake his purpose true, 
No dazzling gold can tempt his view ; 
Nay, rather than be false, to die 
Defending his fidelity. 

If this untutored savage heart 
Thus nobly acts the Hero's part, . 
How we who bear the Christian name, 
Should view the scene and blush with shamo 
If from our path we turn aside, 
Allured by wealth, or pomp, or pride. 
Be ours through life the purpose high, 
To nobly act our part, or die ! 
Like Abdiel, what e'er surround, 
" Faithful amid the faithless found." . 
14 



158 




GEN. HERKIMER. 

The family of Gen. Nicholas Herkimer was among the Ger- 
mans who first settled the Mohn.-ik Valley. When the British, 
tories and Indians besieged Fort Stanwix, at Rome, Gen. Herki- 
mer summoned the militia to march to the relief of the garrison. 
On the 5th of August, 1777, having arrived at Oriskany, he de- 
termined to halt for reinforcements. Some of his principal offi- 
cers, eager to press forward, began to denounce their commander 
as a tory and coward. The brave old man calmly replied, that 
he considered himself placed over them as a father, and did not 
wish to lead them into any difficulty from which they could not 
be extricated. Their clamor however increased, and their gen- 
eral being stung by their reproaches, at length gave the order to 
" march on." They soon fell into an ambuscade of the enemy, 
and a most bloody fight ensued ; the officers so eager for the 
conflict were the first to flee. Gen. Herkimer fell wounded in 
the early part of the action, and was placed on his saddle against 
the trunk of a tree "for a support, where, exclaiming, '*/ will 
face the enemy," he continued for six hours to issue his orders 
with firmness and decision. 



159 



After the battle was over, he was conveyed to his house, be- 
low Little Falls on the Mohawk, on a litter, '■ where," says Col. 
Stone, " his leg, which had been shattered five or six inches be- 
low the knee, was amputated about ten days after the battle, by 
a young French surgeon in the army of Gen. Arnold, and con- 
trary to the advice of the general's own medical adviser, the late 
Dr. Petrie. But the operation was unskillfully performed, and it 
was found impossible by his attendants to staunch the blood. 
Col. Willet called to see the general soon after the operation. 
He was sitting up in his bed, with a pipe in his mouth, smoking, 
and talking in excellent spirits. He died the night following that 
visit. His friend, Col. John Roff, was present at the amputa- 
tion, and affirmed that he bore the operation with uncommon 
fortitude. He was likewise with him at the time of his death. 
The blood continuing to flow — there being no physician in imme- 
diate attendance — and being himself satisfied that the time of his 
departure was nigh, the veteran directed the Holy Bible to be 
brought to him. He then opened it and read, in the presence 
of those who surrounded his bed, with all the composure which it 
was possible for any man to exhibit, the 38th psalm — applying it 
his own situation. He soon after expired ; and it may well be to 
questioned whether the annals of man furnish a more striking 
example of Christian heroism — calm, deliberate, and firm in the 
hour of death — than is presented in this remarkable instance. 
Of the early history of Gen. Herkimer, but little is known. It 
has been already stated that his family was one of the first of 
the Germans who planted themselves in the Mohawk valley. 
And the massive stone mansion, yet standing at German Flatts, 
bespeaks its early opulence. He was an uneducated man — with, 
if possible, less skill in letters, even than Gen. Putnam, which is 
saying much. But he was, nevertheless, a man of strong and 
vigorous understanding — destitute of some of the essential re- 
quisites of generalship, but of the most cool and dauntless cour- 
age. These traits were all strikingly disclosed in the brief and 
bloody expedition to Oriskany. But he must have been well 
acquainted with that most important of all books — The Bible. 
Nor could the most learned biblical scholar, lay or clerical, have 
selected a portion of the Sacred Scriptures more exactly appro- 
priate to the situation of the dying soldier, than that to which 
he himself spontaneously turned. If Socrates died like a phi- 
losopher, and Rousseau like an unbelieving sentimentalist, Gen. 
Herkimer died like a Christian Hero." 



160 




Red Jacket and his Cabin on the Bvffalo Reservation. 
RED JACKET. 

Red Jacket, the celebrated Seneca Chief, was born in 1756. 
His Indian name was Sa-go-ye-wat-ha, a word signifying one who 
keeps awake by magical influence. He was a true specimen of 
the Indian character, as a chief, and as an orator. He was the 
foe of the white man. His nation was his god. He died on 
the Buffalo Reservation in 1832. A short time previous to his 
death, he went around among his people, at their cabins, and 
told them that he was passing away, and his counsels would soon 
be heard no more, and the craft and avarice of the white men 
would prevail. " Many winters," said he, " I have breasted the 
storm, but I am an aged tree, and can stand no longer ; my 
leaves are fallen, and soon my aged trunk will be prostrate. I 
go to join the spirits of my fathers, but my heart fails when I 
think of my people, who are soon to be scattered and forgotten." 
His tribe was divided into two parties, one called the Pagan, the 
other Christian. He belonged to the Pagan, while his wife be- 
longed to the Christian party. During the last sickness of Red 
Jacket, there seemed to be quite a change in his feelings respect- 



161 



ing Christianity. He repeatedly remarked to his wife, he waa 
sorry he had persecuted her — that she was right and he wrong, 
and as his dying advice told her, " Persevere in your religion, it 
is the right way" 

The home of our Fathers' shall know us no more, 
We are passing away from the hill and the shore, 
We leave the green meadows, the rock and the stream, 
For the days of our glory have passed like a dream. 

A nation of strangers is taking our place, 
But none will lament for the red man's lost race, 
Like the light of the sun at the close of the day, 
Like the dew and the mist, we are passing away. 

A tree of the forest, no more I shall brave 
The tempests of winter, that over me rave, 
My branches all withered, my foliage all strown 
I soon shall lie prostrate, decaying and lone. 

I go to the land of the Spirits above, 

And there shall my feet through their hunting grounds rove. 

So spake the old chieftain, as onward he strayed 

Mid the homes of his tribe, by the stream and the glade. 

Dark sons of the forest, as widely ve roam, 
From the woods and the streams, that of old were your home, 
As the homes of the white man spread wide through the land. 
And the forests behind you are bowed by his hand : 

May the sunshine of faith on your vision arise, 
Which guides to a lovelier land in the skies ; 
The hope that is changeless, your twilight illume, 
And gild, with its brightness, your path through the tomb. 

£. 6. B. 

14* 



162 




TWO HONEST MEN. 

Many years since, two aged men living near, or in the State 
of Pennsylvania, traded, or in the common phrase, " swapped 
horses," on this condition, that after a week's trial of each other's 
animals, the one who thought he had the best of the bargain, 
should pay to the other two bushels or bags of wheat. The 
time of trial having expired, the two men loaded their horses 
with the wheat, and as it happened met each other about half 
way from their respective homes. '* Where art thou going V 
said one. " To thy house with the wheat," answered the other. 
" And whither art thou riding?" " Truly," replied the first, " I 
was taking the grain to thy house." Each pleased with his 
bargain thought the wheat justly due his neighbor, and was 
going to pay it. 



True Honesty 's a virtue rare, 
Too little seen on earth ; 

Many its praises may declare, 
But few show forth its worth. 



163 

" 'Tis naught, 'tis naught," the buyer says. 

" The quality is poor, 
'Tis worth but half the price," but strives 
The bargain to secure. 

But when the bargain he has made, 

And gained the end in view, 
He straitway boasts his skill in trade, 

What cunning craft can do. 

Two men in Pennsylvania State, 

Of Honesty possessed, 
Their horses " swapped," but could not .ell 

Which horse would prove the best 

Loving their neighbor as themselves, 
They sought each other's good, 

And so with friendly hearts agreed, 
This plan was understood : 

Should one his bargain chance to find 

The best, two bags of grain 
Should be the surplus he would bring, 

To make it right again. 

Each thought his neighbor's horse the best, 

Each proved an honest man, 
For each concluded now to act, 

Upon their settled plan. 

Said one, " I think in this affair 

I have th' advantage quite ; 
And so in duty bound, I'll go 

And make the matter right.' 



164 

He took his wheat, away he went 

His journey to pursue, 
When lo ! half way he met his friend 

Mounted, and loaded too. 

" I'm glad to see thee, friend," he cried, 
" As we our word have given, 

I find my bargain proved the best, 
This grain will make it even." 

With much surprise his friend replied, 

" My errand is the same, 
My trade was best, to bring your due, 

Loaded like you, I came." 

How they at last the matter fixed, 
We know not ; but 'tis plain, 

That mid the tricks and arts of trade, 
Some Honesty remains. 




165 




DEATH OF LIEUT. WOODWARD— Oregon. 

Since the commencement of this publication, the authors, with 
man)' others, have been called to mourn with the widow and 
fatherless, for the loss of a husband and father, on the distant 
shores of the Pacific. Lieut. K. S. Woodward W3S an officer 
of much promise in the U. S. Revenue Service, esteemed and 
respected by his associates. Above all, he was a decided Chris- 
tian, " firm for his God to live or die." On account of his nauti- 
cal skill, he was entrusted with the command of the U. S. schooner 
Patuxent, to cruise on the dangerous coast of California and 
Oregon, above San Francisco. On Nov. 9th, 1850, while en- 
gaged in the perilous undertaking of sounding a passage through 
the surf at the mouth of Klamet river, in Southern Oregon, his 
boat was upset, and after an ineffectual struggle in a foaming 
1 sea, perished in the service of his country, at the a"ge of thirty- 
four. His remains were recovered, and buried near the place 
where he was lost. 

Far onward to the setting sun, to where the 
broad Pacific waters, vast and deep, foam, dash 
and roar, from thence the mournful tidings come ! 



166 

We ne'er shall see him more ! He whom we 
loved so well, lies cold and lonely on that rock- 
bound shore ! 

Far onward to the setting sun, 

From the Pacific's rock-bound shore, 
Of him we love, the tidings come, 

"On earth we ne'er shall see him more." 

No warrior's crown, bedimmed with tears and 
blood : No rolling drum, speaking of war's dread 
trade : nor trumpet voice of Fame, moved thee 
onward. No. Duty to those most dear; duty 
to thy country and thy God, impelled thee to 
this distant sea. 

No warrior's crown, bedimmed with blood, 
Nor Fame allured thee thus from home; 

Love to thine own. duty to God, 
Impelled thee far abroad to roam. 

A seaman's and a Christian's heart was thine. 
Generous and brave, with high resolve, thou 
didst not fear to own thy Master, though a world 
might frown or sneer. On land and sea, 'mongst 
high and low, firm to thy purpose, still for God to 
live and die ! 

A Christian seaman's heart was thine, 

Noble and brave, that knew no fears ; 
Thou darest to own God's truth divine, 

'Mid high or low, 'mid frowns or sneers. 

Thy God did try thee, and he found thee stead- 
fast still. It is. enough. No more thy Master 
tries thee here. Temptation shall no more assail, 
nor trials move thee more. Man is but mortal 
here. From future ills, thy God and Father sum- 
mons thee above. 

Thy Master tried thee — found thee true, 

Finished thy toils : thy work is done, 
No more on earth for thee to do : 

The final victory now is won. 

A seaman's death was thine ! No mortal 
hands removed thee hence. Out on thy ocean 



167 



home, amid the roar and foam of God's own 
mighty sea, the summons came. Vain is the 
help, or skill, or power of man. Thy God hath 
called thee, for thy time hath come ! 

A seaman's death on ocean's wave 

Was thine, from early years thy home. 
Thy summons came, no power could save, 

God called thee ! for thy hour had come ! 

High rise the fearful billows, swelling, foaming, 
dashing on the adamantine shore ! The sea-bird 
screams above the rolling waters. The winds 
howl round, and the vast sea in its tumultuous 
roar, joining, will sound thy ceaseless dirge ! 

High rise the billows 'gainst the shore ; 

Tumultuous moans the foaming surge ; 
The sea-bird's scream, the sea's wild roar, 

Shall sound thy ceaseless funeral dirge I 

Safe in the bosom of thy God, we have no 
tears to shed for thee. But who shall break the 
tidings dire, to the lone widow and orphans far 
away. Their souls were one. Great God ! be 
thou their strength and shield, through this dark 
vale of tears ! 

Safe in the bosom of thy God, 

We have no tears to shed for thee ; 
To those who feel thy chastening rod, 

A Husband and a Father be. 

There rest awhile, my son. On that wild 
and rugged shore, angelic beings watch thy dust. 
When the last trump shall sound, and the roll-call 
from the Book of Life is heard, then wilt thou 
answer from thy lowly bed, and in the twinkling 
of an eye, wilt rise and stand among the chosen 
ones of God ! 

There rest, my brother, on that shore, 

Till Life's roll-call shall waken thee •, 
Thy form all glorious, up shall soar, 

Forever with thy God to be. 

j. \v. b. and e. o. a. 



168 




Harrison House, Vincinnes, bid , the place of the iuterview between Tecumaeh 
and General Harrison. 

TECUMSEH, THE INDIAN CHIEFTAIN. 

The celebrated Tecumseh was the son of a Shawnee 
Chieftain, and was born it is stated at Piqua, Clarke Co., 
Ohio, about the year 1768. — Like Napoleon, in his boyish 
pastime he showed a passion for war, and was soon acknowl- 
edged as a leader among his tribe, by whom he was loved 
and respected, having great power and influence over them. 

In the spring of 1810, Gen. Harrison (afterwards Presi- 
dent of the U. S.) being Governor of the Northwestern Ter- 
ritory, resided at Vincennes, the seat of government. 
Having learned that Tecumseh had been visiting the Indian 
tribes along the valleys of the Illinois and Wabash, for the 
purpose of uniting them against the whites, invited him to 
meet him in council. 

Gov. Harrison, the officers of the territory, some of the 
principal inhabitants, with a military company, made suit- 
able preparations to receive their distinguished visitor. 
The council was held in an open lawn before the Governor's 



169 

house, in a grove of trees which then surrounded it, a few 
which, with the house, are now remaining. At the time 
appointed, Tecumseh with some fifteen or twenty warriors, 
made their appearance. As he approached the elevated 
platform on which the Governor and his officers were seat- 
ed, the Governor invited him through his interpreter, to 
come forward and take a seat with him and his counsellors, 
premising the invitation by saying " It was the wish of 
their 4 Great Father,' the President of the United States, 
that he should do so." The Chief paused for a moment af- 
ter these words were uttered, and raising his tall form to 
its greatest height, surveyed the troops and the crowd 
around him. Then for a moment fixed his keen eyes on 
the Governor, turned them to the sky above, with his sin- 
ewy arm pointed towards the heavens, and with a tone and 
manner indicative of scorn and contempt for the paternity 
assigned him, said in a clarion voice heard throughout the 
whole assembly : 

" My Father! — The sun is my father — the earth is my 
mother — and on her bosom will I recline." Having finish- 
ed, he stretched himself with his warriors on the green 
sward. The effect, it is said was electrical, and for some 
moments there was perfect silence. 

The Governor then informed him, that he understood that 
he had complaints to make of injuries done the Indians, 
and that he, (Tecumseh,) asked redress for grievances. To 
this, he would reply, that he felt disposed to hear all just 
complaints and redress all wrongs. That as between him- 
self and so great a warrior as Tecumseh, there should be no 
concealment but every thing should be done "under a clear 
sky and open path." 

Tecumseh arose as soon as the Governor had finished. 
Noble in form, dignified but graceful, he seemed the perfect 
orator. In a voice at first low but musical, he commenced 
his reply. As he warmed with his subject, his clear and 
" trumpet-like" tones could be heard at a great distance. 
Perfect silence prevailed, except when his warriors gave 
their guttural assent to some eloquent recital of the red 
man's wrongs and the white man's injustice. Fully ac- 
quainted with the history and traditions of the Indians, he 
in a speech which occupied an hour in the delivery, recap- 

15 



110 

itulated the wrongs of the red man, from the massacre o ' 
the Moravian Indians, during the revolutionary war down 
to the time he had met the Governor in council. 

Governor Harrison in his reply stated that the charges 
made by Tecumseh of bad faith against the government 
were unfounded, That in all their dealings with the red 
men they had always been governed by strict rules of right 
and justice. That the government had a right to purchase 
lands of the Miamis who were the real owners, being a dif- 
ferent people from the Shawnees who had no right to inter?) 
fere. The interpreter commenced explaining the speech to\ 
Tecumseh, who after listening to a portion of it, sprung to 
his feet and began to speak with great vehemence of 
manner, and told the interpretor to tell the Governor that 
" he lies" When this was made known, the Governor told 
Tecumseh "he would hold no further council with him," 
and the meeting broke up. Upon Tecumseh making an 
apology the next day for his language, the council was con- 
tinued. At its conclusion, the Governor asked if there 
would be any danger to the person who had been appointed 
to run the boundary line around the lands recently pur- 
chased. Tecumseh, although surrounded by a force four 
times the number of his own, firm and intrepid informed him 
it would be at the peril of their lives. Then said the Gov- 
ernor, " the United States will support their claim by the 
sword," " So be it" was the stern and haughty reply of 
the " Shawnee Chieftain," as he took his leave and termi- 
nated the last conference between two of the most celebra- 
ted men of the West. 

Upon the breaking out of the war of 1812, between the 
United States and Great Britain, Tecumseh joined the lat- 
ter. At the battle of the Thames, in Upper Canada, be- 
tween Gen. Harrison and Gen. Proctor, the latter was as- 
sisted by a body of 1,200, or 1,500 Indian warrians led on 
by Tecumseh. While the battle raged, his terrible voice 
was heard encouraging his warriors ; he fell at their head, 
and with him fell the last hope of our Indian enemies. " He 
Mas endowed with a powerful mind, and the soul of a hero. 
There was an uncommon dignity in his countenance and 
manners, and by the former he could be only distinguished 
even after death, among the slain, for he wore no insignia 
of distinction." 



171 




The Slave Boy and his Teacher. 
" OUR FATHER." 
In those States where Slavery is established by law, it is 
deemed unsafe to teach the slaves to read. Accordingly, laws 
are passed to punish those who make the attempt. Persons, 
therefore, who wish to give religious instruction to these poor 
people, must do it orally, i. e. by word of mouth. On one oc- 
casion, while the instructor was teaching a little slave boy the 
" Lord's Prayer,'* he was directed to repeat the words after 
him. The teacher began with the two first words, " Our Fa- 
ther." " What," said the slave boy, addressing his teacher, "is 
he your Father f" " Certainly," said the teacher. "And is he 
mine too," asked the boy. " Yes," was the xeply. " Then we 
are brothers* replied the boy ; a logical deduction from premi- 
ses which cannot be set aside. If indeed then we are all 
brethren, a brother's treatment is due to our fellow-man, even 
if his skin is of a darker shade than our own. 



Is he your Father ? is he truly mine ? 

u, Tis true," the teacher said, "'tis thus we're taught," 
" If we one Father have," the .slave boy said, 

"Then surely are we brothers, are we not ?" 



172 

Reasonings like this, we all should truly see, 
Nor dare discard our mighty sovereign's word ; 

Clear as the noon-day's sun, his precepts be — 
He is our loving Father, Maker, God. 

Why should we feel above the lowly poor, 
And give no friendly hand to help him rise ; 

Did not "Our Father" make his colored skin — 
Then let us not his work on earth despise. 

Then give to him, a brother's treatment, kind : 
Oppress, discard him not, and do not fear 

To do thy duty toward thy fellow-men, 

Though fools may laugh, and proud oppressors sneer. 

What though he's poor, and has a darken'd skin, 
He has a soul like thine, of priceless worth ; 

If proud and haughty ; thou art poor and vile, 
If Christian ; he's a nobleman by birth. 

To put to everlasting shame, the sin, 

'Mongst mortals vile, the sin of human pride, 

Our sovereign Lord was in a stable born, 
Despised ; and like a malefactor died. 

Father of all ! we on thy footstool dwell, — 

make us all our every duty see : — 
Crush down our foolish, hateful, cruel pride, 

And Christ-like, let our every action be. 



173 




The dying Union Soldier attended by a Confederate. 

THE UNION AND THE CONFEDERATE SOLDIER. 

In the Secession "War, when raging in Virginia, a Union 
Soldier, mortally wounded, lay on the battle field in a dying siate, 
while the enemy was passing by. Feeling his end approaching, 
he called to some one passing by. Upon coming to the spot where 
he lay, he earnestly inquired if there was any Christians among the 
Confederate soldiers ; if so, he wished one would come to his side. 
Such an one was found, and he was directed by his superior to 
attend the dying soldier in his last moments. These two soldiers, 
though widely different from each other as far as worldly interests 
were concerned, found themselves, as Christians, closely united. 
The dying Unionist, as his brother Christian was earnestly praying 
for him, forgetting all worldly differences, grasped his hand and 
held it till he departed, as a token of union and love. 

The murderous conflict now has past, 

And left the soldier in his gore ; 
His life-blood flows, he sinks apace, 

And far off friends he'll see no more. 

15* 



174 

Dread hour ! to take our final leave, 
Of all below we hold most dear ; 

To wing our flight to unknown worlds, 
And at God's judgment bar appear. 

No thoughts to spend on human strife ; 

Our dying soldier looks above, 
"Where hateful scenes can never rise, 

And naught appears but heavenly love. 

" how I want God's people near, 
And all the love of Christ to feel, 
To meet me in this trying hour, 
And humbly by my side to kneel." 

'Twas thus the Christian soldier felt, 

And soon his prayer was heard on high, — 

A foeman seen in battle strife, 
Doth now appear a brother nigh. 

" Give me thy hand, my brother kind, 
We two are in sweet unity ;" 
'Twas thus the dying soldier spoke — 
" One, ever one ! so let us be." 

A blessed hope sustains us here, 

While passing through this world of sin ; 
We rise above all party hate, 

And feel the love of Christ within. 




175 




DEATH OF GEN. MITCHELL. 

Maj. Gen. 0. M. Mitchell, commander of the Department of 
the South was one of the noblest, accomplished and ef- 
ficient officers in the United States army in the Secession War. 
Previous to the breaking out of the hostilities he had devoted 
himself to Astronomical pursuits. By the lectures he gave in 
the most prominent places in our land on this sublime science, 
he acquired a reputation, it is believed, superior to all others 
■who have ever spoken on this subject in this country. Above 
all, he was a devoted Christian. Although having no prede- 
lictions for military service, yet from patriotic motives he was 
induced to make great personal sacrifices, and offer his services 
to his country in her hour of peril. His military career was 
of the first order, striking and efficient. At all proper times 
and occasions, he assembled his command, and as one fellow- 
being to another, urged the importance of a religious life. 
The scene presented of a military chieftain in the open air, in 
wild and mountainous districts, as an ambassador from Heaven 
to those under him, was one of surpassing interest and sub- 
limity. When ordered to Hilton Head, near Charleston, S. C, 
he found the poor slaves (or contrabands as they are called) 



1*76 

subject to ill-treatment from the prejudiced whites. His first 
work, almost, was to see to their comfort. He erected houses 
for them away from the soldiers' camp. A church was erected 
for them, and he was at its dedication and spoke to them as a 
kind father to his children. When striken down by the yel- 
low fever, he was not only calm and resigned, but triumphant 
in the hopes of redemption. When his speech had failed, his 
eyes were turned upward, and he pointed towards Heaven. 
He expired October 30th, 1862. 

Amid the distant realms on high of starry light, 

Immensity above, around, abroad, 
And worlds before unknown, bring to our sight, 

'Twas thine the lot, to show these works of God. — 

His country calls ! on to the rescue fly ! 

Foemen move on, draw near with purpose dire, 
Our Hero in this cause, fears not to die, 

Standing for right, and martyr-like expire 1 

While moving 'mid the scenes of warring strife 
The Christian Hero tells of joys above ; 

Points out the pathway to the realms of Life ; 
Invites, entreats, persuades with Christian love. 

Eyes to the blind ; feet to the helpless lame ; 

This was thy heavenly mission here : — 
In noble, heavenly work like this, 

Too few alas ! in this dark world appear. 

Dark was the hour, when snatch'd from us below, 

One fit to live amid the worlds on high ; 
But since, Great God ! thou wiliest so ; 

Low at thy feet, we would submissive lie. — 

Soldier of Christ ! thy work is nobly done : 
The order comes ! retire from fields of strife : 

The conflict's past ! the final victory's won : 
Receive thy crown of glory, Heavenly Life ! — 

Hear, most High ! our earnest, constant cry : ' 

Protect us ! save us ! when our foes draw near : 

may our country's hosts on thee rely, 
And Christian Leaders in our ranks appear. 



177 




Sinking of the Monitor off Cape Hatteras 

THE IRON- CLAD MONITOR. 

One of the most important events in naval history is the con- 
flict between the iron clad Confederate steamer Merrimae and 
the U. S. iron clad boat the Monitor, at the mouth of James 
River, Virginia, March 9th, 1862. The Monitor was built un- 
der peculiar circumstances. Washington was blockaded — a 
Confederate fleet threatened it, and the Confederate iron clad 
Merrimae was almost ready to ruin our wooden men-of-war, 
towards the close of 1861. To meet this formidable ship a 
kind of raft boat was constructed by Capt. Ericsson, in which 
the crew were below the water line, except those who worked 
the two guns placed in the revolving turret, placed on the iron 
clad deck which appeared a few inches above the water. 

The Merrimae commenced her work of destruction by sink- 
ing the frigate Cumberland, and burning the Congress, she then 
proceeded to destroy the Minnesota. At this critical time, 
when all hearts were filled with dismny, the Monitor arrived 
from New York, and by a few well directed shots forced her to 
retire. Thiswas considered by many, as a special interposition of 



ITS 

Providence, as the Merrimac never afterwards committed any 
depredations, and was finally destroyed to prevent her from 
falling into the hands of the Unionists. The Monitor after un- 
dergoing some repairs, at the close of the year, set forward on 
a Southern expedition, manned with a force full of hope and 
brilliant expectations. But Divine Providence ordered other- 
wise. When towed by the gun-boat Rhode Island, during a 
violent storm, off Cape Hatteras, she sprang a leak, and with 
five officers and twelve men, sunk down and perished amid 
the mighty waters, Dec. 31, 1862. 

Our forlorn hope was like a David sent, 

To meet our foe in our extremity ; 
Who like Goliath clad in armor strong: — 

Vanquished he falls ; the boasting foemen flee. 

Our Monitor, a nation's boast and pride, 
Goes forth again to meet the stubborn foe, 

Onward she presses round the stormy Cape, 

Battling with winds above, and foaming waves below. 

But man is weak 'mid elemental strife, 

Weak is his power, and vain his boasted skill : — 

When God directs the storm, the swelling tide, 
And stormy w r inds, fulfill His sovereign will. 

Our Monitor ; brave ship, the nation's pride, 
A grateful people will thy loss deplore ; 

Thy mission guided by a mighty arm 

lias been performed ; no one shall view thee more. 

Save us from trusting to an arm of flesh, 
But let us put our trust, Lord, in thee ; 

hear our prayer, when dangers pre=s around, 
And always thus, our helper, guardian, be. 




179 




Capt Willard on the field of Anticiam, Sept. 16, 1862. 
THE SOLDIER'S LAST LETTER. 

War is a great evil, but as men now are, it reems unavoidable- 
The soldier who engages in it, if actuated by Christian principles, 
is in a mission, one of the highest and noblest on earth, and is as 
much a minister of God, as he who preaches salvation to a lost 
race. If he falls in the defence of the right, he falls a martyr to 
save his country, and imitates Him from Heaven who gave his 
life for the world. On the eve of battle, standing on the verge of 
two worlds, liable to be ushered in a moment into that unseen and 
unknown, tries the inmost soul, and is indeed an honest and sol- 
emn hour. The true soldier now thinks of " sacred home," he 
leaves his last message ; or writes his " last letter" to those he 
loves. An example of this is found in the diary kept by Capt. 
S. F. Willard of Madison, Conn., who fell in the battle of Aniie- 
tam, Sept. 1863. Within a few minutes afier he had made his 
last entry in his diary, he was killed by a shot from the enemy. 
He was a professed Christian, and an ardent lover of his country. 
He entered its service, from the highest motives of exalted 
patriotism. 

Middle'own Valley, Monday morning, Sept. 15, 18fi2. 

Theso may be my last words ; if so. they are these : — I have full faith in 
Jesus Christ, ray Savior ; I do not regret that I have fallen in defence of 



180 

my country ; I have loved you truly, and know that you have loved me, 
and in leaving this world of sin, I go to another and better one, wh^re 1 am 
confident I shall meet you. I freely forgive all my enemies, and ask th. m 
for Christ's sake, to forgive n>e. If my body should ever reach home, let 
there be no ceremony ; I ask for no higher honor than to die for my country, 
lay me silently in the grave, imitate my virtues, and forgive all my errors. — 
I prefer death in the cause of my country, to life in sympathy witb its ene- 
mies. And now my precious wife, good bye. — May the grace ot God sus- 
tain you, and we will meet at last in heaven. Signed in the valley on the 
battle-ground near Bolivar Heights, Md. 

SAMUEL FRANCIS WILLARD. 

Tuesday morning, — later. 
The battle has commenced ; one man killed within 20 rods of me, by 
a shell. My faith is in God ; if I die, I die in the faith of my Lord and 
Savior Jesus Christ, who died that I might live. We are now to go into 
battle. God save my men, God save me, God save the United States of 
America, God bless you my own dear wife, and may we meet at last in 
Heaven where there will be no war or sin. 



The death storm thunders near ! my Savior, God, 
In this dread hour I put my trust in thee : — 

Thy will I know not, but I know and feel, 
Safe as Almighty power, would have me be. 

Sulphureous clouds darken the sky above, 
The rolling drum, the bugle's warlike blast, 

The thundering cannon, and the clash of steel 
Are raging : foes and friends are falling fast. 

While on the verge of death, my soul to thine, 
Dearest on earth, is with thee hovering near; 

"Weep not : if now I leave this world of sin, 
My faith is strong in God : I feel no fear. 

My enemies I freely now forgive, 

Trusting they will do the same by me, 

I ask no higher, nobler honor here, 

My country ! than to give up life for thee. 

The battle comes ! Great God on thee T call, 
My men, my country, thou our Savior be, — 

I fall : — Safe in the bosom of my God 
My spirit waits, dearest one for thee. 



IMPORTANT EVENTS 



SECESSION W^R. 




Confederate Flag. 



1860. 

December 20. — Ordinance of Se- 
cession unanimously adopted by 
the South Carolina Convention at 
Charleston. — Dec. 24. South Caro- 
lina delegation withdraw from U. 
I S. Congress. — Dec. 26. Major An- 
| derson with 60 men withdraws from 
| Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter. — 
Dec. 30. United States Arsenals in 
South Carolina seized. 



1861. 



January 2. — Fort Pulaski near Savannah, seized by 
order of the Governor of Georgia. — Jan. 3. South Carolina 
Commissioners at Washington return to Charleston. — Jan. 
4. National Fast. United States Arsenal at Mobile seized. 
Jan. 9. Star of the West, with reinforcements for Fort 
Sumter fired on and forced to return. — Jan. 10. Secession 
of Mississippi and Florida. — Jan. 11. Alabama secedes. 
Jan. 19. Georgia secedes. — Jan. 25. Louisiana secedes. 

February 1. — Texas secedes. — Feb. 4. Southern Con- 
vention at Montgomery, Ala. — Feb. 9. Jefferson Davis 
elected President, and A. H, Stephens Vice-President of 
the Confederate States of America. — Feb. 25. News re- 
ceived of the treason of Twiggs at Texas. 

March 11. — Constitution of the "Confederate States" 
unanimously adopted by a Congress at Montgomery, Ala. 

16 



182 

April 13. — Fort Sumter with a garrison of 100 men 
under Major Anderson, surrendered after a bombardment 




Attack on Fort Sumter. 

of 34 hours. — April 15. President Lincoln calls for 75,000 
men. Tremendous excitement. — April 19. Massachusetts 
6th Regiment assailed by a mob ; 3 soldiers killed and sev- 
eral of the mob. Blockade of the Southern ports. — April 
20. Gosport Navy Yard near Norfolk burnt, including ships, 
frigates, &c, mounting over 400 guns. 

May. 3. President Lincoln calls for volunteers to serve 
for three j^ears. — May 22. Seat of the Confederate Govern- 
ment transferred from Montgomery to Richmond. — May 24. 
First movement of United States forces into Virginia. Col. 
Ellsworth killed at Alexandria. About thirty millions of 
dollars raised in various States to sustain the Union. 

June 3. — Gen. Beauregard in command of the Confed- 
erate troops at Manassas Junction. — June 12. Harper's 
Ferry abandoned by the Confederate troops. Union Con- 
vention at Wheeling ; Government of Virginia re-organ- 
ized; T. H. Pierrepont, Governor. — June 28. Marshall 
Kane, chief police officer in Baltimore, arrested. 

July 4. — Meeting of United States Congress. A Na- 
tional Loan of $250,000,000 authorized.— July 21. Battle 
of Bull Run ; Federal troops routed with the loss of 481 
killed, 1011 wounded and 1216 missing; 25 cannon and 
2500 muskets taken. Gen. McClellan arrives at Washing- 
ton, to take command of the army of the Potomac. 

August 1. — Gen. Fremont at St. Louis, commander of 



183 



the- Western army. — Aug. 10. Battle near Springfield, Mo. 
Gen. Lyon killed ; Federal forces retired to Rolla with a 
loss of 223 killed and 721 wounded.— Aug. 28. Hatteras 
Inlet, N. C, forts captured by Commodore Stringham and 
Gen. Butler. — Aug. 30. — Gen. Fremont proclaims martial 
law in Missouri ; property of rebels confiscated, slaves 
emancipated. 

j September 4. — Gen. [Bishop] Leonidas Polk took posses- 
sion of Columbus, Ky. — Sept. 11. Gen. Rosecrans defeats 
the Confederates near Gauley river, Va. — Sept. 15. John 
A. Washington, Confederate, killed near Cheat Mountain, 
Va. — Sept. 16. Many of the Maryland Legislature arrested, 
their meeting prevented. — Sept. 21. Col. Mulligan with 
2,600 men at Lexington, Mo., surrendered to a superior 
Confederate force. 

October 11. — Com. Hollins with a Confederate Steam 
Ram attempts to sink the Union fleet at the passes of the 
Mississippi ; unsuccessful. — Oct. 21. Battle at Ball's Bluff; 
Union troops driven back ; Gen. Baker killed. — Oct. 31. 
Retirement of Gen. Scott. Gen. McClellan appointed com- 
mander of the National troops. 

November 2. — Gen. Fremont removed from his command 
at the West. — Nov. 7. Bombardment and capture of the 
Forts at Hilton Read, Port Royal, S. C, by Com. Dupont 




Port Royal Forts Bombarded. 

and Gen. Sherman. — Nov. 9. Mason and Slidell captured , 
by Com. Wilkes of the United States ship San Jacinto. 
Nov. 20. The inhabitants of Acromac and Northampton 
Cbunties, Va., return to their allegiance. — Nov. 23. Con- 
federate batteries bombarded by Fort Pickens, and the 
United States ships. 



184 

December 4. — Ship Island, Miss., occupied by the Union 
troops. — Dec. 11. Great fire in Charleston ; loss estimated 
at $7,000,000. — Dec. 28. Suspension of Specie payments in 
New York. — Dec. 30. Mason and Slidell surrendered. 



1862. I 

r 
January 19. — Battle of Mill Spring, Ky., Confederates 
defeated, Gen. Zollicoffer killed. Union loss 246. Confed- 
erate 349, and large amount of stores, &c. 




Com. Footers Flotilla bombarding Ft. Henry, 

February 6. — Commodore Foote, with 7 gun-boats cap- 
tured Fort Henry on the Tennessee River. Gen. Tighlman 
and 60 men taken prisoners. Three U. S. gun-boats went 
up the river to Florence, Alabama. — Feb. 8. Battle oj 
Roanoke I. N. C, by the Union military and naval forces, un- 
der Gen. Burnside and Com. Goldsborough, entrenchments 
stormed; Unionists captured 3,500 stand of arms, 75 tons 




Battle of Fort Donelson. 

of ammunition and 2,500 prisoners. — Feb. 10. Fort Donel- 



185 



son, Tenn., captured by Gen. Grant, Gen. Buckner and 
14,000 men surrendered. Gen. Pillow and Floyd escaped 
with 5000 men. — Feb. 25. Nashville surrendered to the 
Union forces. 

March 3. — Columbus, Ky., evacuated by the Confede- 
rates. — March 8. Confederate iron clad steamer Merrimac at- 
tacks the Union ships in Hampton Roads, the Cumberland 




Conflict between the Monitor and MtTrimac. 

sunk, the Congress burnt. March 9. The Monitor attacks 
the Merrimac and after a contest of 5 hours forces her to 
retire in a sinking state. — March 6, 7 and 8. Battle of Pea 
Ridge, Ark., Unionists under Gens. Curtiss, Sigel, defeat. 
the Confederates under Gens Van Dorn, McCullock and 
Price. Gen. McCullock killed. — March 12. Centerville and 
Manassas occupied by the Union troops. St. Augustine, 




Gen. Burnside?s Expedition. 

Fla., surrendered. — March 14. Newbern, N C, captured 
by Gen. Burnside. — March 23. Victory at Winchester, Va., 
by the Unionists, under Gen. Shields, over the Confeder- 
ates under Jackson. 

16* 



186 



April 5. — Attack on Yorktown, Va., under the direction 
of Gen. McClellan. — April 6 and 7. Battle of Pittsburg 
Landing or Shiloh, Confederates captured Gen. Prentiss 
and most of his troops. April 7. Confederates checked by 
gun-boats, and reinforcements under Gen. Buell. Confed- 
erates driven towards Corinth. Union loss 13,000. Con- 
federates supposed to be greater. Island No. 10 in the 
Mississippi captured by the Union gun-boats under Com. 
Foote. — April 11. Huntsville, Ala., taken by Gen. Mitchell. ; 
Fort Pulaski, near Savannah, Ga., taken. — April 16. Sla- 
very abolished in the District of Columbia. — April 24. 
Com. Farragut after a bombardment of nearly a week of 




Com. Farragut passes the Forts below New Orleans. 

Forts Jackson and St. Philip, below New Orleans, passes 
them, and removes obstructions in the Mississippi. — April 

25. Fort Macon at Beaufort, N. C, surrendered. — April 

26. New Orleans captured by Commodore Farragut, 
with the Union fleet. Gen. Butler soon after takes pos- 
session of the city. 

May 4. — Yorktown, Va., evacuated by the Confederates. 
May 10. Norfolk, Va., surrendered. Gosport Navy Yard 
burnt. May 11. The Merrimac burnt. May 20. General 
McClellan's advance reached New Bridge, 8 miles from 
Richmond. — May 23. Severe fighting by Gen. Banks' ad- 
vance at Front Royal, Va. — he afterwards reaches the Po- 
tomac. — May 29. Confederates successfully evacuate Cor- 
inth, Miss. — May 31. Battle of Fair Oaks, near Richmond, 
commenced. 

June 1. — Severe battle of Fair Oaks. Union loss during 
two days 5,739. Confederates driven out of Strasburg, Va 



187 

by Gen. Fremont's force. — June 6. Memphis, Tenn., occu- 
pied by the Union troops. Great gun-boat battle at Mem- 
phis; 7 Confederate gun-boats and rams destroyed. — June 
7. W. B. Mumford executed for tearing down the Ameri- 
can flag at New Orleans. — June 16. Battle of James Island, 
near Charleston, S. C. Unionists repulsed — June 24. 
Evacuation of the White House Landing by Gen. McClel- 
lan commenced. — June 26. Terrific and bloody battles com- 
menced before Richmond and lasted about six days. Gen. » 
McClellan falls back from the Chickahominy to a more se- 
cure position on James River. Union loss in killed, wound- 
ed and missing, 15,224. Confederate loss supposed about 
30,000. — June 27. Gen. Fremont relieved from his com- 
mand in Virginia. Fremont's, Banks', and McDowell's 
forces consolidated under Gen. Pope. 

July 1. — President Lincoln calls for 300,000 additional 
men, for the army. — June 11. Gen. Halleck assigned to 
the command of the land forces of the United States. June 
15. Confederate iron clad gun-boat Arkansas ran past the 
Union vessels and reached Vicksburg. — June 23. Gen. Pope 
issues stringent orders against disloyalists in Virginia. 
July 25. The President issues a proclamation to all persons 
to return to their allegiance in 60 days on pain of confisca- 
tion, &c. 

August 4. — A draft for 300,000 men for 9 months, ordered. 
Aug. 5. Baton Rogue, La., attacked; 5000 Confederate 
troops under Gen. Breckenridge, defeated. Gen. Williams 
killed. — Aug. 6. The iron clad Confederate steamer Arkan- 
sas destroyed by the Essex. — Aug. 9. Battle of Cedar Moun- 
tain between 7000 Union troops, under Gen. Banks, and 
12,000 Confederates under Gen. Jackson, who retreated 
next day. — Aug. 16. Union troops evacuated Harrison 
Landing, Va. — Aug. 18. Gen. Pope commenced his retreat in 
Va. — Aug. 29. Battle of Groveton, near Bull Run. Gen. 
Sigel's corps engaged. Confederates defeated. Col. Fletcher 
Webster killed. 

September 1. — Generals Kearney and Stephens killed in 
an engagement near Fairfax Court House. — Sept. 2. Gen. 
McClellan assigned for the defence of Washington. — Sept. 
5. Confederates crossed the Potomac into Maryland near 
Point of Rocks. — Sept. 6. Confederate force under Gen. 
Hill, occupied Frederick City, Md. — Sept. 7. Bowling Green 



188 

occupied by the Unionists, under Gen. Negley. Gen. Pope 
assigned to the command of the army of the North West. 
Sept. 10. Confederates approach Cincinnati, Ohio, great ex- 
citement: 3000 laborers called to the trenches. — Sept. 13. 
Gen. McClellan's head quarters at Frederick City. — Sept. 
1 4. Battle of South Mountain, Md. Confederates defeated. 
Union loss 2,325. Gen. Reno killed. — Sept. 15. Harper's 
Ferry and 12,500 Union troops surendered by Col. Miles. 
Sept. 16, 17^ Battle of Antietam. Confederates defeated. 
Gen. Mansfield killed. Union loss 12,469. Estimated Con- 
federate loss at South Mountain and Antietam 25,542. 
Cumberland Gap, Ky., evacuated by the Unionists under 
Gen. Morgan. 4,600 Union troops captured at Munfords- 
ville, Ky. — Sept. 22. President Lincoln's Emancipation 
Proclamation issued, declaring the slaves in any State in 
rebellion on Jan. 1, 1863, forever free. — Sept. 24. Conven- 
tion of Loyal Governors at Altoona, Penn. 

October 4. — Battle at Corinth, Miss. Confederates under 
Price and Von Dorn defeated. Union loss 2,359. Confed- 
erates 9,363. — Oct. 5. Galveston, Texas, occupied by Union 
troops. — Oct. 8. Battle of Perryville ; the Confederates un- 
der Bragg, Polk, Cheatham, Buckner and Anderson, re- 
pulsed, loss 2,500 Union Gens. Jackson and Terrell kill- 
ed. — Oct. 22. At Maysville, Arkansas, Union forces under 
Gen. Blunt, routed the Confederates ; supposed to be 5000 
to 7000 strong. — Oct. 24. Gen. Buell removed, and Gen. 
Rosecrans succeeded to the command of the army in Ken- 
tucky. — Oct. 30. Gen. O. M. Mitchell, commander of the 
Department of the South, died of yellow fever at Beaufort, 
South Carolina. 

November 7. — Gen. McGlellan removed from the com- 
mand of the Army of the Potomac— succeeded by Gen. 
Burnside. — Nov. 10. Gen. Rosecrans arrived at Nashville, 
Tenn. Nov. 15. A. J. Hamilton appointed Military Gov- 
ernor of Texas. — Nov. 25. Confederate troops 4000 strong 
under Gen. Martin, make an unsuccessful attempt to take 
Newbern, N. C. — Nov. 27. Most of the political prisoners 
released from the forts and prisons of the Government. 

December 3. — Gen. Hovey, with 20,000 men left Helena, 
Ark., and took possession of Grenada, Miss. — Dec. 4. Win- 
chester, Va. surrendered to Gen. Geary. — Dec. 7. The Con- 
federates under Gens. Hindman, Marmaduke, unsuccessfully 



189 

attacked Gen. Blunt's Union forces under Gen. Herron at 
Crawford Prairie, near Fayetteville, Ark. Union loss 1000; 
Confederate over 2000. Dec. 10. Bill for the admission of 
the new State of West Virginia, passed. Dec. 11. Bom- 
bardment of Fredericksburg, Va. Dec. 13. Battle of Fred- 
ericksburg. Union army repulsed with the loss of 8,850 
killed, wounded and missing. Gen. Bayard killed. Rail 
Road at Goldsboro, N. C. broken up by Gen. Foster. Con 
federates defeated with a loss of 400 men. — Dec. 15. Frede- 
ricksburg evacuated by the Union army. — Dec. 16. Com- 
mand of the Department of the Gulf, transferred from Gen. 
Butler to Gen. Banks. — Dec. 23. President Jeff". Davis is- 
sues a retaliatory proclamation against Gen. Butler and 
others. — D«c. 29. Gen. Sherman repulsed in an attack on 
Vicksburg — Dec. 31. The Monitor foundered off Cape Hat- 
teras. 

1863. 

January 1. — All persons held as slaves in North Caroli- 
na, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkan- 
sas, Texas, and parts of Virginia and Louisiana, declared 
free, by the President of the United States — number of 
slaves declared free about 3,120,000 : number excepted by 
it, about 830,000. Galveston, Texas, re-captured ; the Har- 
riet Lane taken — Jan. 2. Battle of Murfreesboro ; after a 
conflict of three days, Gen. Rosecrans defeats the Confede- 
rates under Gen. Bragg, forcing him to retreat. Union loss 
about 1000 killed, 5,500 wounded and 4000 prisoners. 
Confederate loss in killed, wounded and missing, 15,500. 
Gen. Carter, with 1000 cavalry, penetrated to East Tennes- 
see and broke up a portion of the East Tennessee and Vir- 
ginia Rail Road. — Jan. 8. The Confederates under General 
Marmaduke defeated in an attack on Springfield, Mo. — Jan. 
U. Arkansas Post, Ark., with about 5000 men captured. — 
Jan. 24. Gen. Burnside relieved from the command of the 
Army of the Potomac; he is succeeded by Gen. Hooker. — 
Jan. 31. Several Confederate iron clad gun-boats and steam- 
ers at Charleston, make an unsuccessful attempt to raise 
the blockade ; the Princess Royal, a prize vessel, captured. 

February 2. — The Ram " Queen of the West," ran by 
Vicksburg. — Feb. 3. The Confederates make an unsuccess- 



190 



ful attack on Fort Donelson. — Feb. 20. The Monitor gun- 
boat Indianola runs by the Confederate batteries at Vicks- 
burg ; the " Ram Queen of the West," soon afterwards cap- 
tured up the Red River. — Feb. 24. The Indianola captured 
by the Confederates. — Feb. 28. The Confederate steamer. 
Nashville destroyed at Fort McAlister, near Savannah, by 
the Union Monitor gun-boat Montauk. 

March 5. — Col. Coburn, with 1,300 men, captured by a 
superior Confederate force under Gen. Forest, near Frank- 
lin, Tenn. — March 14. Admiral Farragut with the Hartford 
and Albatross, passed Port Hudson batteries. 




Attack on Fort Sumter, April 7, 1863. 



April 7. — Admiral Dupont with 7 Monitors, 2 guns 
each, and two other iron-clads, carrying in all 30 guns, 
made an attack on Fort Sumter. This fortification, with 
four others having about 300 guns fired 3,500 rounds at the 
boats, which at the distance from 300 to 600 yards re- 
turned but 150 rounds. By obstructions placed in the 
channel, the boats were prevented from reaching Charles- 
ton, and after sustaining a fire from five forts and batte- 
ries, the most terrific on record, for half an hour, the Mon- 
itors retired from the conflict. The boats were but little 
injured, excepting the Keokuk which sunk the morning 
after the action. Loss on the fleet, 1 killed and 11 
i wounded. 

April 14. — Gen. Foster in a steamer passes the Confed- 
erate batteries between Washington, N. C, and Newbern. 



193 

April 16. — Six Union gun : boats and three transports ran 
by the Confederate batteries at Vicksburg. 

April 17. — Expedition of Col.. 'Grierson commenced in 
Tennessee, arrived in Baton Rouge May 2, 800 miles distant. 
He captured 1,000 men, 1,200 horses and destroyed railroads 
and stores valued at four millions of dollars. 

May 1. — Gen. Grant routs 11,000 Confederates at Port 
Gibson. — May 3. Great battle at Chancellor smile between 
Gen. Hooker and Gen. Lee. Union loss about 14,000 ; 
Confederate loss estimated at 18,000. Gen. (Stonewall) 
Jackson mortally wounded. — May 6. Gen. Hooker re-cross- 
ed the Rappahannock. Cavalry expedition, 2,700 strong, 
under Gen. Stoneman, around the rear of the enemy's forces. 
Col. Killpatrick advanced within two miles of Richmond ; 
300 men captured, stores, &c, waggon trains destroyed. — 
May 14. Gen. J. E. Johnston defeated, and Jackson, the 
capital of Mississippi, taken. — May 16. The Confederates, 
under Gen. Pemberton, defeated by Gen. Grant with the loss 
of 4,000 men and 29 pieces of artillery. 

June 27. — The main body of Confederates crossed the Po- 
tomac into Maryland at Williamsport. Gen. Lee took Ha- 
gerstown. Gen. Hooker at Frederick City ; was relieved 
of his command, and G. G. Meade appointed in his place. 

July 1, 2, 3. — Battle of Gettysburg, Pa. Gen. Meade 
victorious. The Confederate army, under Gen. Lee, lost 
33,000 men in killed, wounded and prisoners Union loss 
about 18,000. July 4. Capture of Vicksburg by Gen. Grant, 
after a seige of 47 days ; 31,277 prisoners taken. Confede- 
rates defeated at Helena, Ark. with a loss of 2,700 men. — 
July 8. Port Hudson surrendered to Gen. Banks; 7,000 
prisoners taken. — July 10. Confederate batteries on Morris 
Island, at Charleston harbor, taken. 

July 13. Great riot in New York ; continued for four 
days ; upwards of 160 persons killed ; colored persons mur- 
dered and their Orphan Asylum destroyed. The mob burnt 
many buildings and committed many robberies before they 
were overcome by the military. — July 18. John H. Morgan 
looses 1,000 of his guerrilla band, near Buffington, Ohio; he 
afterwards surrendered. — During the month, twenty-eight 
successful contests, with a loss to the enemy of more than 
800 guns and 80,000 prisoners. Gen. Lee driven back to 
Virginia; the Mississippi opened to the Gulf, the Confedc 



.192 

rates expened from nearly all Tennessee and Mississippi, and 
the territory under their military control reduced to the 
states of Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina and 
parts of Virginia and Tennessee. 

August 6. — Day of Thanksgiving, appointed by President 
Lincoln for recent victories. — Aug. 21. Jefferson Davis ap- 
pointed a day of fasting on account of reverses. — Aug. 17 1 
Gen. Hurlburt's force destroyed at Grenada 57 locomotives, j 
upwards of 400 cars, machine shops — Aug. 21. Quantrell, ' 
a noted guerrilla, with about 200 men, made a raid into 
Lawrence, Kansas, murdered about 150 persons robbed the 
ptores and laid the place in ashes. — Aug. 23. After several 
days cannonade, Fort Sumpter nearly battered down. — Aug. 
24. — Bomb-shells from Gen. Gilmore's batteries reached 
Charleston, a distance of five miles. 

September 1. — Knoxville, Tenn. captured by Gen. Foster. 
— Sept. 6. Forts Wagner and Gregg, at Charleston, taken. 
— Sept. 9. Gen. Crittenden takes Chattanooga. — Sept. 10. 
Little Rock, capital of Arkansas, occupied by the Union 
troops. Gen. Burnside captured Cumberland Gap and 
2,000 prisoners. — Sept. 19, 20, 21. Battle of CMckamauga. 
Heavy loss on both sides. Union troops fell back to Chata- 
nooga. Gen. Thomas' corps displayed great bravery and 
saved the Union army from great disaster. 

October 8. British authorities stop the building of Con- 
federate ships near Liverpool. — Oct 17. The President calls 
for 300,000 volunteers to be raised before the 5th of Janua- 
ry, 1864. — Oct. 18. Gen. Grant takes the command of the 
departments of the Ohio, Cumberland and Tennessee. — Oct. 
28. Battle near Lookout Mountain ; communications with 
the Union army established. 

November 2. Gen. Banks' army reaches Texas in trans- 
ports. — Nov. 4. Brownsville, Texas, captured. — Nov. 17. 
Seige of Knoxville, Tenn., by a Confederate army under 
Longstreet. — Nov. 19. The Gettysburg battle-field conse- 
crated as a National Cemetery. — Nov. 23, 24, 25. Battle of 
Chattanooga. Gen. Hooker carried the northern slope of 
Lookout Mountain. Gen. Sherman carried the northern ex- 
tremity of Missionary Ridge. Confederates driven off. 
Grant announced a complete victory over Bragg. — Nov. 29. 
The Confederates in front of Knoxville repulsed with heavy 



193 



-^^fc= 




Battle on Lookout Mountain, Tenn. 

December 8. — Proclamation of amnesty issued by Presi- 
dent Lincoln. 

1864r. 

January 10. — A heavy fight near Strawberry Plains, E. 
Tennessee ; Confederates defeated. — Jan. 30, The Confed- 
erates make an attempt to retake Cumberland Gap. 

February 1. — President Lincoln orders a draft for 500.000 
men to serve for three years, or during the war. — Feb. 5, 
Expedition under Gen. Seymour left Port Royal, S. C, for 
Jacksonville, Fla. — Feb. 20, Battle of Olustee; Gen. Sey- 
mour's force met 15,000 Confederate troops 55 miles from 
Jacksonville, after a desperate battle of three hours, the 
Union troops, overpowered, retired to Sanderson. 

March 1. — Kilpatrick's expedition reached the outer for- 
tifications of Richmond. — March 3, Kilpatrick arrived with- 
in the lines of Gen. Butler's army. — March 9, President 
Lincoln presents Gen. Grant with a Lieut. General's com- 
mission. — March 14, Fort De Russey, on Red River, La., 
captured by the Union forces under Gen. Smith — March 
26, Gen. Franklin's forces (Union) reached Alexandria. La. 

April 4. — Opening of the Great Sanitary Fair in New 
York. — April 12, Fort Pillow, Tenn., taken by the Confed- 
erate soldiers by storm ; colored troops massacred. — April 
20, The Confederates took Fort Williams by storm, cap- 
tured Plymouth, N. C, Gen. Wessels and 2,500 men. 

May 3. — Admiral Wilkes sentenced to be reprimanded, 
and suspended from United States service for three years. 
May 5-6. Battle of the Wilderness. Va., between the Union 
troops under Gen. Grant and the Confederates under Gen. 



li)4 



Lee; Generals Hays and Waasworth Ki.iea; Confederates* 
fell back. —May 9, Battle of Spotsylvania commenced; it 
was continued for several days, each of the armies opposed, 
consisted of 100.000; Lee finally fell back to Richmond. 
— May 13, Gen. Butler's army advanced towards Richmond. 

June 8. — Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson nomi- 
nated by the Union Convention — June 11, Gen. Grant's ar- 
my commence moving to the south side of Richmond. — 
June 19, Naval conflict off the harbor of Cherbourg, France, 
between the Alabama, Capt. Semmes, and the U. States 
steamer Kearsarge, Capt. Winslow; the Alabama sunk, 
Capt. Semmes saved by an English yatch. 

July 18. — President Lincoln orders a draft for 500,000 
men for one year's service. — July 22, Great Battle before 
Atlanta, Ga. ; Union loss 3,521; Confederate loss estimated 
at 10,000; Gen. McPherson killed. — July 30, Explosion ol 
an immense mine before Petersburg; attack of the Union 
troops repulsed. Confederate troops entered and burn* 
Chambersburgh, Penn. 

August 5. — Great battle at the entrance of Mobile Bay; 
Confederate ram Tennessee captured ; Union monitor Te- 
cumseh blown up by a torpedo. — Aug. 8, Fort Gaines, Mo- 
bile, surrendered to Admiral Farragut. Gen. Sheridan as- 
signed to the command of the Union troops in the Shenan- 
doah Valley, Va. — Aug. 23, Fort Morgan, Mobile Bay, 
surrendered. 

September 2. — Atlanta, Ga., occupied by Gen. Sherman's 
army. — Sept. 4, Gen. Gillam surprised Morgan's band at 
Greenville, Tenn. ; Morgan killed. — Sept. 8. Brownville, 
Texas, attacked by the Mexicans under Cortinas ; Confed- 
erates driven out.— Sept. 11, National thanksgiving. 

October 19. — Battle of Cedar Creek, Va. ; Union troops 
driven in confusion with the loss of 20 pieces of artillery; 
Gen. Sheridan arriving on the battle-field, rallied his troops, 
drove back the Confederate force, captured 48 pieces of ar- 
tillery and many prisoners, gaining a great victory. 

November 13. — Gen. Sherman's right wing under Gen. 
Howard, left Atlanta and began its march through Georgia. 
Atlanta burnt. — Nod. 21, Milledgeville, the capital of Geor- 
gia, captured. — Nov. 26, Gen. Howard's column reached 
Sandersville, Ga., and cut the railroad. 

December 10. — Gen. Sherman's army, of about 70,000 



195 




Sherman's army entering Savannah. 



men arrived within five miles from Savannah without the 
loss of a wagon. — Dec. 13. Fort McAllister, near Savannah, 
taken by storm. — Dec. 15-16, Battle of Nashville ; Gen, 
Thomas defeats the Confederate army under Gen. Hood, 
and compels it to flee, after a loss estimated at 17,000 men 
and 52 cannon. — Dec 19, The President issued a procla- 
mation, calling for 300,000 men. — Dec. 21, Capture of Sa- 
vannah by Gen. Sherman, with upwards of 30,000 bales of 
cotton, and a large amount of stores and 150 cannon. — Dec. 
24-25, Fort Fisher, near Wilmington, N. C, furiously bom- 
barded by the fleet under Admiral Porter. 

1865. 

January 15. — Fort Fisher, near Wilmington, taken after 
a desperate conflict, by the land and naval forces under Gen. 
A. H. Terry and Admiral Porter :— of the garrison of 2.300 
men, 1,900 surrendered, 400 being killed and wounded; 
Union loss 1,021. 

February 21. — Charleston, S. C, taken by the Union 



Columbia, S. C, surrendered to the Union 



troops. 

March 18 
troops under Gen. Sherman ; many buildings burnt. — 
March 21, Goldsboro taken by Gen. Schofield.— March 
22, Wilmington taken. 

April 3. — Richmond evacuated by the Confederates, 
and taken by the Union troops after a bloody contest of 
three days. — April 9, Gen. Lee, with his army surren 
dered to Lieut. Gen. Grant. — April 14. Pres. Lincoln as- 
assinated. 



196 








THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER. 

This celebrated production, now considered with 
its tune of the same name, a national song, or 
anthem, was written by Francis Key, a lawyer of 
Baltimore, at the time of the bombardment of Fort 
McHenry, in the war of 1812. Mr. Key was sent 
with a flag of truce to the British fleet, to obtain 
the release of some prisoners. He was detained 
until after the attack on the fort. He watched its 
flag with great anxiety during the day. While the 
bombardment continued, it was sufficient proof that 
the fort had not surrendered. It having ceased 
during the night, Mr. Key was full of painful appre- 
hensions till the morning light disclosed that the 
" star spangled banner" was still waving over its 
defenders. 

[The sight of the star spangled banner when far from home, 
among strangers, gives an American emotions which are better 
felt than described ; it speaks of home and all that the human 
heart holds dear. In 1815, Capt. James Riley, with all his 
crew, were wrecked on the African coast, and were captured by 
the Arabs. They were held in bondage for some time, and by 



197 

hard usage were reduced to almost skeletons. They were 
bought of their Arab masters by Mr. "Willshire, the British 
consul at Mogadore. As Capt. Riley and his companions came 
in sight of Mogadore, the captain says, " I discovered the Amer- 
ican flag floating over a part of the distant city. At this blessed 
and transporting sight, the little blood remaining in my veins 
gushed through my glowing heart with wild impetuosity, and 
seemed to pour a flood of new life through every part of my 
exhausted framo."] 

1 say can you see by the dawn's early light, 

"What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming, 
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, 

O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming ; 
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, 

G-ave proof through the night that our flag was still there ? 
! say, does that star spangled banner yet wave 

O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave ? 

On the shore, dimly seen through the mist of the deep, 

"Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, 
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, 

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses ; 
Now it catches the gleam of its morning's first beam, 

In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream : 
'Tis the star spangled banner ! 0, long may it wave 

O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave. 

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore 

That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion 
A home and a country shall leave us no more ? 

Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution : 
No refuge could save the hireling and slave 

From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave, 
And the star spangled banner in triumph doth wave 

J er the land of the free, and the home of the brave. 

! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand 

Between their loved home and the war's desolation ; 
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land 

Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation ; 
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, 

And thus be our motto — " In God is our trust I" 
And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave 

O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave ? 



198 




Bombardment of Charlcstownfrom Copp's Bill, Boston. 
THE AMERICAN HERO. 

When the British troops advanced from Boston 
to drive the Americans from their entrenchments on 
Bunker's Hill, thousands of persons of both sexes 
collected on the church steeples, Beacon Hill, house- 
tops, and every place in its neighborhood, where a 
view of the battle-ground could be obtained, view- 
ing with painful anxiety the movements of the 
combatants — wondering, yet admiring the bold stand 
taken by their countrymen, and trembling at the 
thought of the formidable arm} arrayed against 
them. Almost every family had a relative in the 
conflict, and in an agony of suspense, mothers, 
wives, sisters and daughters gazed upon the s.cene. 

When the British troops moved the second time 
against the Americans, they fired a carcass (a kind 
of bomb shell) from Copp's Hill, in Boston, into 
Charlestown, and set the town, which consisted ot 



199 

five hundred wooden houses, on fire. This was done 
to cover their movements and distract the attention 
of the Americans. The roar of the flames, the 
shrieks of the dying and wounded, the crash of fall- 
ing timber, and the pyramid of fire formed by the 
burning of the tall steeple of the church, presented a 
scene of awful sublimity. The sapphic ode entitled 
" The American Hero," was written on the very 
night the news of the battle reached Norwich, 
Conn., under the excitement or inspiration produced 
by these fearful scenes. It was one of the most 
popular productions of the Revolutionary war, and 
was sung by our fathers with patriotic fervor. The 
author, Nathaniel Niles, was a licensed preacher, 
who occasionally exercised his vocation. He estab- 
lished in Norwich during the war a wire factory, 
but afterwards removed to Vermont, where he 
became a civil magistrate, a farmer, and a judge of 
one of the courts. He died in 1828, at the age of 88. 

Why should vain mortals tremble at the sight of 
Death and destruction in the field of battle, 
Where blood and carnage clothe the ground in crimson, 
Sounding in death-groans? 

Death will invade us by the means appointed, 
And we must all bow to the king of terrors • 
Nor am I anxious, if I am prepared, 
What shape he comes in. 

Infinite Goodness teaches us submission, 
Bids us be quiet under all his dealings ; 
Never repining, but forever praising 
God, our Creator. 

Well may we praise him ! all his ways are perfect 
Though a resplendence, infinitely glowing, 
Dazzles in glory on the sight of mortals, 
Struck blind by luster. 

Good is Jehovah in bestowing sunshine, 
Nor less his goodness in the storm and thunder, 
Mercies and judgment both proceed from kindness, 
Infinite kindness. 



200 

0, then, exult that Grod forever reigneth ; 
Clouds which, around him, hinder our perception, 
Bind us the stronger to exalt his name, and 
Shout louder praises 1 

Then to the wisdom of my Lord and Master, 
I will commit all I have or wish for ; 
Sweetly as babes' sleep will I give my life up, 
When call'd to yield it. 

Now, Mars, I dare thee, clad in smoky pillars, 
Bursting from bomb-shells, roaring from the cannon, 
Battling in grape-shot like a storm of hailstones, 
Torturing ether ! 

Up the bleak heavens let the spreading flames rise, 
Breaking, like ^Etna, through the smoky columns, 
Lowering, like Egypt, o'er the falling city, 
Wantonly burn'd down. 

While all their hearts quick palpitate for havoc, 
Let slip your blood-hounds, nam'd the British lions ; 
Dauntless as death stares, nimble as the whirlwind, 
Dreadful as demons 1 

Let oceans waft on all your floating castles, 
Fraught with destruction, horrible to nature ; 
Then, with your sails fill'd by a storm of vengeance, 
Bear down to battle. 

From the dire cavern, made by ghostly miners, 
Let the explosion, dreadful as volcanoes, 
Heave the broad town, with all its wealth and people, 
Quick to destruction. 

Still shall the banner of the King of Heaven 
Never advance where I am afraid to follow ; 
While that precedes me, with an open bosom, 
War, I defy thee. 

Fame and dear freedom lure me on to battle, 
While a fell despot, grimmer than a death's-head, 
Stings me with serpents, fiercer than Medusa's, 
To the encounter. 

Life, for my country and the cause of freedom, 
Is but a trifle for a worm to part with ; 
And, if preserved in so great a contest, 
Life is redoubled. 



201 




Patrick Henry in the Virginia Assembly. 
PATRICK HENRY. 

Patrick Henry, the celebrated orator of the 
Revolution, was born May 28th, 1736, at the family- 
seat called Sudley, Hanover Co., Va. He was 
rather averse to study, but was passionately fond of 
being alone hunting in the forest or in fishing. He 
was married at the age of eighteen years to Miss 
Shelton, and was engaged in cultivating a small 
farm, but abandoned this pursuit in two years and 
embarked in the mercantile business, in which he 
was equally unsuccessful. All other means failing, 
he determined to try the law. With only six week's 
study lie obtained license to practice at the age 
of twenty-four. 

For several years his practice was limited and his 
family suffered from poverty. In 1763, he was 



202 

brought into notice by what was popularly known 
as the u 2^cirso?i's cause" In this Mr. Henry oppo- 
sed the claim of the clergy to their tobacco stipend. 
The array before which Mr. H. made his first regu- 
lar attempt at public speaking, was indeed appalling. 
On the bench sat more than seventy clergymen, and 
the most learned and critical men in the colony. 
The house was filled with an overwhelming multi- 
tude, and his own father was the presiding magis- 
trate. Mr. Henry rose very awkwardly, and faltered 
much in his exordium. The people hung their heads, 
and his father almost sunk in confusion in his seat. 
But this was of short duration, for soon those won- 
derful faculties which he possessed, began to make 
their appearance. As his mind rolled along and be- 
gan to glow from its own action, he seemed literally 
transformed in his appearance. His attitude by de- 
grees became erect and lofty. The spirit of his gen- 
ius awakened all his features, which shone with a 
nobleness which they never before exhibited. 

It is said by those who witnessed this remarkable 
scene, that the people whose countenances had fallen 
at the time Mr. Henry arose, had heard but a very 
few sentences before they began to look as if doubt- 
ing the evidences of their own senses ; then attract- 
ed by some strong gesture, struck by some majestic 
attitude, fascinated by the spell of his eye, the charm 
of his emphasis, and the varied and commanding 
expression of his countenance, they could look away 
no more. Every part of the house was hushed into 
death like silence. In the language of those who 
heard him, " He made their blood to run cold, and 
their hair to rise on an end." 

The mockery of his opposers was soon turned into 
alarm, their triumph into confusion and despair, and 
at one burst of his rapid and overwhelming invec- 
tive, fled from the house in precipitation and terror. 
" As for the father, such was his surprise, such his 



203 

amazement, such his rapture, that, forgetting where 
he was, and the character he was filling, tears of ec- 
stacy streamed down his cheeks, without the power 
or inclination to suppress them." The cause of the 
people was gained. The jury seemed bewildered, 
and appeared to have lost sight of the admitted 
rights of the plaintiffs ; they had scarcely left the 
bar, when they returned a verdict of one penny 
damages. 

In 1774, Mr. Henry was elected a member of the 
House of Burgesses, and introduced his celebrated 
resolutions on the Stamp Act. In the midst of the 
debate that followed, he exclaimed " Cesar had his 
Brutus, Charles the First, his Cromwell, and George 
the Third"— " Treason I" cried the Speaker—" Trea- 
son, treason!" echoed from every part of the house. 
Henry faltered not for an instant, but taking a loftier 
stand, and fixing on the Speaker an eye of fire, he 
added — " may profit by their example. If this be 
treason make the most of it." 

In 1774, Mr. Henry was elected Governor of Vir- 
ginia: the following is his language in 1775 : "It is 
in vain, Sir, to extenuate the matter ; gentlemen may 
cry peace, fieace, — but there is no peace. The war is 
actually begun. The next gale that sweeps from 
the north will bring to our ears the clash of resound- 
ing arms ! Our brethren are already in the field ! 

"Why stand we here idle Is life so dear, or 

peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the expense of 
chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God ! — I 
know not what course others may take, but as for me, 
give me liberty, or give me death !" 

At the close of the Revolutionary war, Mr. Henry was en<rag-ed in the cele- 
brated Johnny Hook case. Hood was of Stur'ch, or Fn^lish birth, -who lived in 
Virginia during: the war j was a man of wealth, and was suspected o f being- 
iinlriendly to the American cause. During- the distress consequent upt n the 
invasion of Cornwallis, in 1781. Mr.Venable. the Army Commissary, hail taken 
two of Hook's steers, forthe use of the troops. At the oonchisiono ipeace, 
Hook tnoucht proper to bring- an action of trespass ajrainst him. Henry ap- 
peared in his defence. He h<>eame animated in the cause, and soon had com- 
plete conrol over tho ras-ions of his audience ; when he excited their indijj- 



204 

nation against Hook, vengeance waa visible in every countenance; again," 
when he chose tc ridicule him, the whole audience was in a roar of laughter. 
He painted the distresses of the American soldiers, almost naked, exposed to 
the rigors of a wintry sky, marking the frozen ground over which they march- 
ed with the blood of their unshod feet. " Where is the man" sa id Mr. Henry. 
** with an American heart, but would have relieved the famished patriots V" 
He then carried the jury to the plains around Yorktown ; he depicted the sur- 
render in the most glowing colors. His audience sawthe humiliation of their 
haughty i"o >s,— the triumph which lighted up every patriotic face,— heard the 
shouts of victory, the cry of Washington and Liberiy, as it rung and re-echo- 
ed through the American ranks but, hark ! what rotes ofdiscord are these 

which disturb the general joy, and silence the acclamaitons of victory I— they 
are the notes of John Hook, hoarsely bawling through the American camp, 
beef {beef ! beef!— The whole audience were convulsed, the Clerk ofthe Court, 
unwilling to commit any breach of decorum in his place, was obliged to rush 
out of the Court House, ihrow himself upon the grass, in a paroxism of laugh- 
ter. The cause was almost decided by acclamation; the jury retired, for form's 
sake, and instantly returned a verdict for the defendant. 

The last occasion in which Mr, Henry spoke to a 
public assembly, was in 1 799, to the citizens of Char- 
lotte county, in which he opposed the prevailing 
spirit of opposition to the laws of Congress. He 
denied the right of any State to decide upon the Con- 
stitutionality of the laws of the Federal govern- 
ment. "If the administration have done wrong, let 
us not destroy that Union upon which our existence 
hangs. Before you overturn the government, wait 
till some infringement is made upon your rights, 
which cannot otherwise be redressed." This was his 
last effort ; at the conclusion of which he utterly 
sunk into the tumultuous and weej)ing throng which 
surrounded him. 

Mr. Henry died June 6th, 1799, at Red Hill, Char- 
lotte Co. " In private life, he was amiable as he 
was brilliant in his public career. He was an exem- 
plary Christian, and his illustrious life was greatly 
ornamented by the religion which he professed. In 
his will, he left the following testimony respecting 
the Christian religion. ' I have now disposed of all 
my property to my family. There is one thing more 
which I wish I could give them, and that is the 
Christian religion. If they have that, and I had 
not given one shilling, they would be rich ; and if 
they have not that, and had I given them the whole 
world, they would he poor?" 






205 




PRAYER-MEETING AMONG THE SLAVES. 

During the great contest between the Union and 
Slave States for the mastery, the slaves have looked 
upon it as the dawning of better days, and that the 
day of Jubilee wonld soon be proclaimed among all 
their people. Many among them had been praying 
for a long time for the time of their deliverance to 
come. Many times have they retired to the woods, 
and other secret places, away from the observation 
of the whites, and there earnestly prayed that God 
would open the door for their freedom. As the Un- 
ion troops approached, they exclaimed with thank- 
fulness and joy, "Bless God! the Yankees are com- 
ing and we shall be free." 

In 1863, Col. De Costa, of the second Arkansas 
(colored) regiment, came upon one of the above na- 
med meetings in Mississippi, on Sundav, where a 
18 



206 

large number of blacks were assembled for divine 
worship. The Colonel, with his small party, linger- 
ed on the outskirts of the meeting for a while, and 
listened to the prayer of the black preacher. He 
was praying, with all the fervor and direct earnest- 
ness for which these preachers are so much distin- 
guished, for God to hasten the coming of the Yan- 
kees, to drive off, or crush down into the dust their 
white oppressors, so that they, their wives and little 
ones, might be free, that the year of Jubilee might 
come, so that they might no more be parted and sold 
like cattle. 

This was a sufficient introduction for Col. De Cos- 
ta, with his small party, to make a sudden appear- 
ance among them. Like ' an angel visitant, he in- 
formed them that their prayers were heard and an- 
swered, and he had come for their deliverance. 
With shouts of joy, these poor people, raising their 
hands to heaven, called on God to bless their deliv- 
ers. The Colonel instructed them to come to the 
river, where the transport boats were lying, and 
bring with them all the horses, mules, and cotton, 
on which they could lay their hands. In a short 
time, the whole assembly of worshippers was trans- 
formed into a great caravan, pursuing its way to the 
river bank. The scene was novel, grotesque, and 
interesting, — men and women on foot, and mounted 
on mules and horses ; children, cotton, household 
goods and subsistence stores in carts. It was a 
mixed assemblage; the old and young, the lame, 
the halt and blind were also there. However they 
might differ as to age or circumstances, they all 
seemed animated by the same desire, — the desire to 
be free, — all singing " the year of Jubilee is cum." 

Our American poet, John G. Whittier, ever on the 
side of God and humanity, has given a most vivid 
description, in poetic language, of a kindred scene 



207 

to the foregoing. The following is extracted from 
his composition, entitled "At Port Royal, . . 1861." 
Although some of it is in " broken Saxon," yet it is 
all inspired with the " soul of Poetry." 

" The tent-lights glimmer on the land, 

The ship-lights on the sea ; 
The night-wind smooths with drifting sand 
Our track on lone Tybee. 

At last our grating keels outside, 

Our good boats forward swing ; 
And while we ride the land-locked tide, 

Our negroes row and sing. 

"With oar-strokes timing to their song, 

They weave in simple lays 
The pathos of remembered wrong, 

The hope of better days, — 

The triumph-note that Miriam sung, 

The joy of uncaged birds : 
Softening with Afric's mellow tongue 

Their broken Saxon words. 

SONG OP THE NEGRO BOATMAN. 

0, praise an'tanks ! De Lord has come 

To set de people free ; 
And massa tink it day ob doom, 

An 1 we of jubilee. 
De Lord, dat heap de Red Sea waves, 

He jus as 'trong as den ; 
He say de word ; we last night slaves ; 

To day the Lord's free men ; 

De yam will grow, de cotton blow, 

. We'll hab de rice an'corn ; 
0, nebber you fear, if nebber you hear 
De driver blow his horn ! 

Ole massa on he trabbels gone ; 

He leab de land behind I 
De Lord's breff blow him furder on, 

Like corn shuck in de wind. 



208' 

We own de hoe, we own de plow, 

We own de hands dat hold ; 
We sell de pig, we sell de cow, 

But nebber childe be sold. 
• De yam will grow, &c. 

We pray de Lord; He gib us signs 

Dat some day we be free ; 
De north wind tell it to the pines, 

De wild duck to de sea ; 
We tink it when de church bell ring, 

We dream it in dream ; 
De rice-bird mean it when he sing, 

De eagle when he scream. 
De yam will grow, &c. 

We know de promise nebber fail, 

An' nebber lie de word ; 
So like de 'postles in de jail, 

We waited for de Lord: 
An' now he open ebery door, 

And throw away de key ; 
We tink we lub him so before, 

We lub him better free. 
De yam will grow, &c. 

So sing our dusky gondo^ers ; 

And with a secret pain, 
And smiles that seem akin to pain, 

We hear the wild refrain. 

We dare not share the negro's trust, 

Nor yet his hope deny ; 
We only know that God is just, 

And every wrong shall die. 

Kude seems the song ; eaeh swarthy face 

Flame-lighted, ruder still ; 
We start to think that hapless race 

Must shape our good or ill ; 

That laws of changeless justice bind 

Oppressor with opprossed ; 
And, close as sin and suffering joined, 

We march to Fate abreast. 



209 




Col. Davenport speaking in the Legislative Council. 
DARK DAY, IN MAT, 1780. 

The 19th of May, IV 80, was distinguished by the 
phenomenon of a remarkable darkness over all the 
Northern States, and is still called the dark day. 
"The darkness," says Dr. Webster, "commenced 
between the hours of 10 and 11, A. M., and contin- 
ued till the middle of the next night. It was occa- 
sioned by a thick vapor or cloud, tinged with a yel- 
low color, or faint red, and a thin coat of dust was 
deposited on white substances." 

" The wind was in the southwest; and the darkness appeared 
to come on with clouds in that direction. Its extent was from 
Falmouth, (Maine,) to New Jersey. The darkness appears to 
have been the greatest in the county of Essex, (Mass.) in the 
lower part of New Hampshire, and Maine ; it was also great in 
Rhode Island and Connecticut. In most parts of the country 
where the darkness prevailed, it was so great, that persons were 
unable to read common print, determine the time of day by their 
18* 



210 

clocks or watches, dine, or manage their domestic business, with- 
out additional light ; ' candles were lighted up in their houses ; 
the birds having sung their evening songs, disappeared and be- 
came silent ; the fowls retired to roost ; the cocks were crowing 
all around as at break of day ; objects could be distinguished but 
a very little distance ; and everything bore the appearance and 
gloom of night.' " 

The following is extracted from the account given 
by Dr. Tenny, in a letter to the Massachusetts Hist. 
Society, dated Dec, 1785. 

" Although the uncommon darkness Avhich attract- 
ed the attention of all ranks of people in this part 
of the country on the 19th of May, 1780, was a phe- 
nomenon which several gentlemen of considerable 
literary ability have endeavored to solve, yet I be- 
lieve you will agree with me, that no satisfactory 
solution has yet appeared." 

" You will readily recollect that, previously to the commence- 
ment of the darkness, the sky was overcast with the common 
kind of clouds, from which there was, in some places, a light 
sprinkling of rain. Between these and the earth there inter- 
vened another stratum, to appearance, of very great thickness. 
As this stratum advanced, the darkness commenced and increas- 
ed with its progress, till it came to its height ; which did not 
take place till the hemisphere was a second time overspread. 
The uncommon thickness of this second stratum was probably 
occasioned by two strong currents of wind from the southward 
and westward, condensing the vapours and drawing them in a 
north-easterly direction. I remember this observation was made 
by an anonymous writer in one of the public papers soon after 
the event. 

As I set out on the next day, from my father's, at Rowley, to 
join my regiment in New Jersey, I had an opportunity to inform 
myself what were the appearances in different parts of the 
country between here and Pennsylvania. The result of my en- 
quiries, on that journey, and after my return, was that the dark- 
ness was most gross in the county of Essex, the lower part of 
the State of New Hampshire, and the old Province of Maine. 
In Rhode-Island and Connecticut it was not so great, and still 
legs in New York. In New Jersey, the second stratum of 
clouds was observed, but not of any great thickness ; nor was 
the darkness very uncommon. In the lower part of Pennsylva- 



211 

nia, if my recollection does not fail me, no extraordinary appear- 
ance was noticed. Through this whole extent the lower strat- 
um had an uncommon brassy hue, while the earth and trees 
were adorned with so enchanting a verdure as could not escape 
notice, were amidst the unusual gloom that surrounded the spec- 
tator. This gradual increase of the darkness from southwest to 
northeast, which was nearly the course of the clouds, affords a 
pretty good argument in favor of the supposition that they were 
condensed by two strong currents of wind blowing in different 
directions. To these two strata of clouds we may, without hes- 
itation, impute the extraordinary darkness of the day." 

" The darkness of the following evening," says 
one account, " was probably as gross as has ever 
been observed, since the Almighty first gave birth to 
light. It wanted palpability, to render it as extra- 
ordinary as that which overspread the land of Egypt 
in the time of Moses. ... A sheet of white paper 
held within a few inches of the eyes was equally in- 
visible with the blackest velvet." 

"At this time," says Dr. Dwight, "the Legislature of Con- 
necticut was in session in Hartford. A very general opinion 
prevailed, that the day of judgment was at hand. The house of 
Representatives, being unable to transact any business, adjourn- 
ed. A proposal to adjourn the Council was under consideration. 
When the opinion of Col. Davenport was asked, he answered, 
' I am against an adjournment. The day of judgment is ei- 
ther approaching, or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for 
an adjournment ; if it is, I choose to be found doing my duty 
I wish, therefore, that candles may be brought." 



212 




The Embarkation for New Orleans. 
THE MINISTRY SUSTAINED. 

Soon after the Revolutionary War, many com- 
panies of emigrants from the northern Atlantic states 
located themselves on the banks of the Ohio and its 
branches. Emigrants who go west at the present 
time, know but little of the hardships and privations 
endured by the pioneer settlers. Trackless wilder- 
nesses, and swamps, had to be passed, streams had 
to be forded by swimming or otherwise, and in ad- 
dition to this, savages lurked about their encamp- 
ments ready to fall upon the weak and defenceless. 

A company of substantial and enterprising emi- 
grants after enduring many hardships and privations 
in treading through the wilderness, located themselves 
on a fertile spot on the banks of the Ohio. By their 
diligence in the cultivation of their land, the wilder- 
ness began to bud and blossom as the rose. It was, 
however, different with their children, who they found 
growing up under the bad influences to which they 



213 

were oftentimes subjected. At this period, the prin- 
cipal visitors to the settlement were boatmen, and 
the officers and soldiers who were connected with 
the military posts established in this section of the 
country. Intemperance, profanity, with a contempt 
for religion and morality, prevailed at this time to a 
great extent among them. 

Having no house of worship in which to assemble 
on the Lord's day, many of the younger class spent 
their time in hunting and fishing, or wasted their 
precions hours in wandering about in the woods 
and fields. To prevent these growing evils, it seem- 
ed necessary to the fathers of the colony to establish 
the institutions of intelligence, morality and religion 
among the rising generation. The great difficulty 
seemed to be, how to obtain the means to erect the 
church and school house, to sustain a minister &c. 

As they had but little or no money to procure the materials ne- 
cessary to finish a church, sustain the minister, &c, a plan was 
adopted to load an ark, or keel-boat, with their products, such as 
grain, flour, salted meats, &c, to take to New Orleans, a distance 
of about fifteen hundred miles. In order to furnish a sufficient 
cargo to load the boat, both young and old exerted themselves. 
Even the little children were impressed with the public spirit 
which prevailed, and each brought a little store of berries and 
nuts with which the wilderness abounded. 

At length the day to commence the voyage arrived. The Pres- 
byterian elder, one of the prominent settlers, volunteered his ser- 
vice as Captain and steersman. All the inhabitants of the settle- 
ment assembled on the banks of the river, and amid the prayers 
and tears of the congregation, the elder and his companions em- 
barked on an enterprise which would take them some three or 
four months to accomplish After waiting with some anxie- 
ty for a long time, as the Mississippi was at this time traversed by 
robbers and other desperate characters, the elder and his com- 
panions arrived to the great joy of the settlers. The voyage had 
proved a great success. The means to erect a school, and church, 

and to sustain a permanent ministry were secured Like 

the Father of his country, the elder refused any compensation for 

his valuable services It was a sufficient reward to know 

that he had materially contributed to the advancement of the 
great cause of religion and morality, and to the intelligence, pros- 
perity and well being of those with whom he was connected. 



2 1 




Earthquake at New Madrid, Mo., 1811. 



GREAT EARTHQUAKE AT THE WEST, 1811-12. 

The great earthquake of 1811, which shook the 
Mississippi valley to its center, was the most violent 
of which we have any record in the United States. 
It vibrated along the courses of rivers and villages 
at the west, and passing the Alleghany mountains, 
died away along the shores of the Atlantic ocean. 
The town of New Madrid, in the southern part of 
Missouri, and the settlement of New Prairie, about 
thirty miles below it, appeared to be near the centre 
of the most violent shocks. 

"The first occurred in the night of 15th Dec, 
1811, and they were repeated at intervals for two or 
three months, being felt from Pittsburgh to New 
Orleans. By them the Little Prairie settlement, 
thirty miles below this place, was entirely broken 



215 

up, and Great Prairie nearly ruined. The grave- 
yard at New Madrid, with its sleeping tenants, was 
precipitated into the river, and the town dwindled 
into insignificance and decay. Thousands of acres 
in this section of country sunk, and multitudes of 
ponds and lakes were created in their places. * The 
earth burst in what are called sand blows. Earth, 
sand, coal, and water, were thrown up to great 
heights in the air.' The Mississippi was dammed 
up and flowed backward ; birds descended from the 
air, and took refuge in the bosoms of people that 
were passing. The whole country was inundated. 
A great number of boats that were passing on the 
river were sunk, and whole crews perished ; one or 
two that were fastened to islands, went down with 
them. The country being but sparsely settled, and 
the buildings mostly logs, the loss of life was less 
than it otherwise would have been. Col. John Shaw 
gives these reminiscences of this event." 

" While lodging about thirty miles north of New 
Madrid, on the 14th of December, 1811, about two 
o'clock in the morning, occurred a heavy shock of 
an earthquake. The house where I was stopping, 
was partly of wood and partly of brick structure ; 
the brick portion all fell, but I and the family all 
fortunately escaped unhurt. At another shock, 
about two o'clock in the morning of the 7th of Feb- 
ruary, 1812, I was in New Madrid, when nearly two 
thousand people, of all ages, fled in terror from their 
falling dwellings, in that place and the surrounding 
couutry, and directed their course about thirty miles 
north, to Tywappety Hill, on the western bank of 
the Mississippi, about seven miles back from the 
river. This was the first high ground above New 
Madrid, and here the fugitives formed an encamp- 
ment. It was proposed that all should kneel, and 
engage in supplicating God's mercy, and all simul- 



216 

taneously, Catholics and Protestants, knelt, and of- 
fered solemn prayer to their Creator. 

In abandoning their homes, on this emergency, 
the people only stopped long enough to get their 
teams, and hurry in their families and some provis- 
ions. It was a matter of doubt among them, wheth- 
er water or fire would be most likely to burst forth, 
and cover all the country. The timber land around 
New Madrid sunk five or six feet, so that the lakes 
and lagoons, which seemed to have their beds push- 
ed up, discharged their waters over the sunken lands. 
Through the fissures caused by the earthquake, were 
forced up vast quantities of a hard, jet black sub- 
stance, which appeared very smooth, as though 
worn by friction. It seemed a very different sub- 
stance from either anthracite or bituminous coal. 

This hegira, with all its attendant appalling cir- 
cumstances, was a most heart-rending scene, and had 
the effect to constrain the most wicked and profane, 
earnestly to plead to God in prayer for mercy. In 
less than three months, most of these people return- 
ed to their homes, and though the earthquakes con- 
tinued occasionally, with less destructive effects, 
they became so accustomed to the recurring vibra- 
tions, that they paid little or no regard to them, not 
even interrupting or checking their dances, frolics, 
and vices. 

"The earthquake gave Tecumseh, the Shawnee 
chieftain, the reputation of a prophet among the In- 
dians of Alabama. A few months previous to this 
event, he was on his mission to the southern Indians, 
to unite all the tribes of the south with those of the 
north, in his grand scheme of exterminating the 
whole white race from the wide extent of the Mis- 
sissippi valley — from the lakes of the north to the 
Gulf of Mexico. Drake, in his memoir of Tecum- 
seh, gives this anecdote : 



217 

11 On his arrival from Florida, Tecumseh went among the 
Creeks in Alabama, urging them to unite with the Seminoles. 
Arriving at Tuqkhabatchee, a Creek town on the Tallapoosa 
river, he made his way to the lodge of the chief, called the Big 
"Warrior. He explained his object, delivered his war talk, pre- 
sented a bundle of sticks, gave a piece of wampum and a hatch- 
et ; all which the Big Warrior took. When Tecumseh, reading 
the intentions and spirit of the Big "Warrior, looked him in the 
eye, and pointing his finger toward his face, said: 'Your blood 
is white ; you have taken my talk, and the sticks, and the wam- 
pum, and the hatchet, but you do not mean to fight; I know the 
reason ; you do not believe the Great Spirit has sent me ; you 
shall know ; I leave Tuckhabatchee directly, and shall go straight 
to Detroit ; when I arrive there, I will stamp on the ground with 
my foot, and shake down every house in Tuckhabatchee.' So 
saying, he turned and left the Big "Warrior in utter amazement, 
at both his manner and his threat, and pursued his journey. 
The Indians were struck no less with his conduct than was the 
Big "Warrior, and began to dread the arrival of the day when the 
threatened calamity would befal them. They met often and 
talked over this matter, and counted the days carefully, to know 
the time when Tecumseh would reach Detroit. The morning 
they had fixed upon, as the period of his arrival, at last came. 
A mighty rumbling was heard, — the Indians all ran out of their 
houses, — the earth began to shake ; when, at last, sure enough, 
every house in Tuckhabatchee was shaken down! The excla- 
mation was in every mouth, 'Tecumseh has got to Detroit!' 
The effect was electrical. The message he had delivered to the 
Big Warrior was believed, and many of the Indians took their 
rifles and prepared for the war. The reader will not be surpri- 
sed to learn that an earthquake had produced all this ; but he 
will be, doubtless, that it should happen on the very day on 
which Tecumseh arrived at Detroit ; and, in exact fulfillment of 
his threat. It was the famous earthquake of New Madrid." 

19 



218 



liiiiiiiiiiiiiii* 




VISIT OF LAFAYETTE. 

Gen. Lafayette, the bosom friend and compan- 
ion in arms of Washington in the Revolutionary 
war, after an absence of forty years, again visited 
our country, the scene of his youthful toils and suf- 
ferings. After his purpose became known, the Pres- 
ident of the United States, in a letter, gave him a 
cordial invitation to come, and placed a frigate at 
his disposal, at any time when he should be ready 
to embark. Respectfully declining the offer of a 
public vessel, he took passage in the Cadmus, an 
American merchantman, accompanied only by his 
son, George Washington, and his Secretary, Mr. Le- 
vasseur. He sailed from Havre, July 12th, and ar- 
rived at New York Aug. 15th, 1824. 

Thousands assembled to meet the "Nation's 
Guest," who manifested their joy at beholding him 
by shouts, acclamations and tears. He rode, uncov- 
ered, from the battery to the City Hall, where he 



219 

was welcomed by an address from the Mayor. He 
then met with a few gray-headed veterans of the 
revolution, his old companions in arms. As he pass- 
ed through the several States, he was every where 
received with the warmest enthusiasm, with military 
displays, and with many tokens of " Welcome," and 
gratitude and affection. 

From New York, Lafayette proceeded by land to 
Boston, passing through New Haven and Provi- 
dence. From Boston he proceeded to Portsmouth, 
N. H., from whence he returned to Boston and New 
York, passing through Worcester, Hartford, and 
Middletown. From New York he went up the 
Hudson, visiting Albany, and other places on the 
river. Returning to New York, he proceeded on to 
Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington. He was 
received by the House of Representatives and the 
Senate of the United States, who voted him $200,000 
and a township of land in Florida, for the important 
services rendered by him during the Revolutionary 
war. 

Gen. Lafayette commenced his tour from Wash- 
ington through the southern and western states, and 
returned to Albany by the way of Buffalo and the 
Erie canal. From Albany, he went through Spring- 
field to Boston, where he arrived on June 15th, and 
was received by the Legislature of Massachusetts, 
then in session. On the 17th, the corner-stone of 
the Bunker Hill monument was laid, with imposing 
ceremonies. Fifty years had elapsed since the first 
battle of the Revolution. The magnitude and per- 
fection of the arrangements, the vast numbers, the 
presence of Lafayette, with many of his companions 
in arms, the eloquence of Webster, gave peculiar 
grandeur and sublimity to the scene. 

Having, by rapid journeyings, visited New Hamp- 
shire, Maine, and Vermont, he returned to New York 



220 

in time to participate in the fiftieth anniversary of 
American Independence. He took his final leave of 
New York July 14th, visited the ex-Presidents in 
Virginia, and having at Washington received from 
the President, John Qnincy Adams, a national fare- 
well and benediction, he embarked, September 8th, 
1825, onboard the frigate Brandy wine, sailed down 
the Potomac, and from the capes of Virginia, bade 
a final adieu to the shores of America, followed with 
the benediction of twelve millions of grateful hearts. 

The orator at the Bunker Hill celebration, after 
an eloquent eulogy to names of the honored dead, 
and of congratulation to the surviving heroes of the 
Revolution, turning to Lafayette, "Sir," said he, 
" we are assembled to commemorate the establish- 
ment of the great principles of liberty, and to do hon- 
or to the distinguished dead. The occasion is too se- 
vere for eulogy to the living ; but your interesting 
relation to this country, the peculiar circumstances 
which surround you and surround us, call on me to 
express the happiness which we derive from your 
presence and aid in this solemn commemoration. 

"Fortunate, fortunate man! with what measure 
of devotion will you not thank God, for the circum- 
stances of your extraordinary life ! You are con- 
nected with both hemispheres, and with two gene- 
rations. Heaven saw fit to ordain, that the electric 
spark of liberty should be conducted, through you, 
from the new world to the old ; and we, who are 
now here to perform this duty of patriotism, have 
all of us long ago received it in charge from our 
fathers, to cherish your name and your virtues. You 
now behold the field, the renown of which reached 
you in the heart of France, and caused a thrill in 
your ardent bosom. You see the lines of the little 
redoubt, thrown up by the incredible diligence of 
Prescott, defended, to the last extremity, by his lion- 



221 

hearted valor, and within which the corner-stone of 
our monument has now taken its position. You see 
where Warren fell, and where Parker, Gardner, 
M'Cleary, Moore, and other early patriots, fell 
with him. Those who survived that day, and whose 
lives have been prolonged to the present hour, are 
now around you. Some of them you have known 
in the trying scenes of war. Behold ! they now 
stretch forth their feeble arms to embrace you. Be- 
hold! they raise their trembling voices to invoke 
the blessing of God on you and yours for ever ! 

" Sir, you have assisted us in laying the founda- 
tion of this edifice. • You have heard us rehearse, 
with our feeble commendation, the names of depart- 
ed patriots. Sir, monuments and eulogy belong to 
the dead. We give them, this day, to Warren and 
his associates. On other occasions, they have been 
given to your more immediate companions-in-arms — 
to Washington, to Greene, to Gates, to Sullivan, 
and to Lincoln. Sir, we have become reluctant to 
grant these, our highest and last honors, further. 
We would gladly hold them yet back from the little 
remnant of that immortal band. Serus in cwlitm 
redeas. Illustrious as are your merits, yet far, oh ! 
very far distant, be the day when any inscription 
shall bear your name, or any tongue pronounce its 
eulogy." 

19* 



222 




View of Bunker Hill Monument, from Copp's Hill, Boston. 
BUNKER HILL. 

Bunker Hill, so celebrated in American history, 
is in Charlestown, on the north side of Charles' river, 
opposite Boston. The monument stands in the cen- 
ter of a square, on the summit of a hill, on the spot 
where a redoubt, or breast-work, was thrown up on 
the 17th of June, 1775, in order to compel the Brit- 
ish troops to evacuate Boston. 

On the night of the 16th of June, 1775, a detach- 
ment was ordered to throw up a breast-work on 
Bunker's Hill, near Charlestown. By some mistake, 
they entrenched on Breed's Hlil, nearer to Boston, 
and before daylight they had nearly completed a 
strong redoubt, without being discovered by the 
enemy. As soon as they were discovered, the Brit- 
ish commander ordered a severe cannonade from the 



223 

ships in the river, upon the American works. This 
proving of no avail, a body of about 3,000 men, un- 
der Gen. Howe, landed, under protection of the 
shipping, and advanced to attack the works. The 
British troops were permitted, by the Americans, 
to approach within 10 or 12 rods, and then discharg- 
ed such a shower of musket shot upon them, that 
they were obliged to fall back in disorder. Being 
rallied, they advanced a second time ; a second lire 
did such execution, that the British retreated to the 
river, leaving the field strewed with the dead and 
wounded. After much difficulty, the officers suc- 
ceeded in bringing their men to charge the entrench- 
ments with fixed bayonets, and the Americans, who 
had no bayonets, and having expended their ammu- 
nition, were forced to abandon their works. This 
first battle of the Revolution continued about two 
hours. The British loss, in killed and wounded, was 
nearly 1,100 ; while that of the Americans was 450; 
among their killed was Gen. Warren, distinguished 
for his bravery and patriotism. 

The corner-stone of the monument was laid June 
17th, 1825, by Lafayette, when an address was de- 
livered by Daniel Webster. The monument is con- 
structed of hewn granite, in obelisk from 30 feet 
square at the base and 15 at the top, and 221 feet 
high. On the anniversary of June, 1843, the com- 
pletion of the monument was celebrated ; the Hon. 
Daniel Webster addressed an immense audience, 
among whom were the President of the United 
States and the Heads of Departments. 

When the Hungarian patriot, Louis Kossuth, 
was in our country, the authorities of Charlestown 
gave him a public reception in Monument Square. 
The following is his address on that occasion : 

" My voice shrinks from the task to mingle with 
the awful pathos of that majestic orator ! Silent 



224 

like the grave, and yet melodious, like the song of 
immortality upon the lips of a cherubim : — a sense- 
less, cold granite, and yet warm with inspiration, 
like a patriot's heart ; — immovable like the past, and 
yet stirring like the future, which never stops; — it 
looks like a prophet, and speaks like an oracle. And 
thus it speaks : 

"'The day I commemorate is the rod with which 
the hand of the Lord has opened the well of liberty. 
Its waters will flow. Every new drop of martyr 
blood will increase the tide. Despots may dam its 
flood, but never stop it. The higher its dam, the 
higher the tide. It will overflow or break through. 
Bow, and adore, and hope !*■ 

" Such are the words that come to my ears ; and 
I bow, — I adore, — I hope ! In bowing, my eyes 
meet the soil of Bunker Hill, — that awful opening 
scene of the eventful drama, to which Lexington 
and Concord had been the preface. The spirits of 

the past rise before my eyes All the spirits 

of that most eventful victory, under the name of 
defeat, — I see them all. The eyes of my soul are 
familiar with the spirits of the martyrs of liberty. 
But those I see around me have no sad, ghastly look ; 
they bear no gushing wounds crying for revenge to 
the Almighty God ; the smile of eternal bliss is 
playing around their lips, and, though dwellers of 
heaven, they like to visit the place where their blood 
was spilt. It was not spilt in vain. Their father- 
land is free; and there is a joy in that thought, ad- 
ding ever a new charm even to the happiness of 
blessed souls. As the fabulous divinities of ancient 
Greece like to rest from the charms of heaven on 
Mount Olympus, so must the spirit of Warren like 
to rest on the top of this monument here. 

" Martyrs of my country I how long will it yet be till a like 
joy will thrill through your departed souls ? When will the 



225 

smile of that joy play around your lips ? How long will yet the 
gush of your wounds cry for revenge— your fatherland still 
bleeding, down-trodden, oppressed? Almighty Father of man- 
kind, let the day of thy mercy be not too far!" 



The following hymn, written by John Pierpont, was sung on 
laying the corner-stone of the Bunker Hill monument. 

0, is not'this a holy spot ? 

'Tis the high place of freedom's birth ! 
God of our fathers ! is it not 

The holiest spot of all the "earth? 

Quench'd is thy flame on Horeb's side ; 

The robber roams o'er Sinai now ; 
And those old men, thy seers, abide 

No more on Zion's mournful brow. 

But on this hill thou, Lord, hast dwelt, 
Since round its head the war-cloud curl'd, 

And wrapp'd our fathers, where they knelt 
In prayer and battle for a world. 

Here sleeps their dust: 'tis holy ground: 

And we, the children of the brave, 
From" the four winds are gather'd round, 

To lay our offering on their grave. 

Free as the'winds around us blow, 

Free as the waves below us spread, 
We rear a pile, that long shall throw 

Its shadow on their sacred bed. 

But on their deeds no shade shall fall, 

"While o'er their couch thy sun shall flame : 

Thine ear was bow'd to hear their call, 
And thy right hand shall guard their fame. 



226 




^^^^^^y^^^^^ : 



Franklin Oak, South Windsor, Conn. 

During the Revolutionary war, many prisoners 
were sent to South Windsor, six miles above Hart- 
ford, Conn., for safe keeping. Among these was 
William Franklin, the Royal Governor of New Jer- 
sey. Although a prisoner, he was well provided 
with servants, and was indulged with many privi- 
leges, having two young men of the place as a 
guard. He had a favorite place of resort, about 100 
rods back from the main street, by a spring of spark- 
ling water, near an oak tree, which has since been 
called by his name. The following inscription was 
made by him on this oak, which remained legible 
many years after he left the town. 



To The Woodman. 

"Woodman ! stay your hand ! 

Let not the ax's stroke 
Deprive this lovely land, 

Of this monumental oak! 



Signed, 



William Franklin. 



227 

The governor's request has thus far been granted. 
Many years afterwards, Gen. G. P. Morris, co-editor 
of the " Home Journal," penned the following touch- 
ing and beautiful lines, embodying a similar senti- 
ment. 

Woodman Spaee that Tree. 

Woodman, spare that tree ! 

Touch not a single bough ! 
In youth it shelter'd me, 

And I'll protect it now. 
'Twas my forefather's hand 

That placed it near his cot ; 
There, woodman, let it stand, 

Thy ax shall harm it not ! 

That old familiar tree, 

Whose glory and renown 
Are spread o'er land and sea, 

And would'st thou hew it down ? 
Woodman, forbear thy stroke ! 

Cut not its earth-bound ties ; 
spare that aged oak, 

Now towering to the skies I 

When but an idle boy 

I sought its grateful shade ; 
In all their gushing joy 

Here too my sisters play'd. 
My mother kiss'd me here ; 

My father pressed my hand — 
Forgive this foolish tear, 

But let that old oak stand I 

My heart-strings round thee cling, 

Close as thy bark, old friend! 
Here shall the wild-bird sing, 

And still thy branches bend. 
Old tree ! the storm still brave ! 

And, woodman, leave the spot; 
While I've a hand to save, 

Thy ax shall harm it not ! 



228 




Roanoke, the seat of John Randolph. 

[Roanoke, the place of the residence of John Randolph, is in the southern 
part of Charlotte Co. Va., near the Staunton river. The*buildings are in a 
dense forest. The two houses in front were occupied by Mr. Randolph. The 
one on the right, which was clapboarded, was his summer residence, andjwhere 
he kept his large library : the building on the left, a log structure, was his res- 
idence in the winter, and the one in which he usually took his meals. His 
servants occupied the small buildings in the rear.] 

JOHN RANDOLPH OF ROANOKE. 

John Randolph, who figured so larely in our 
National affairs more than half a century since, was 
born June 2d, 17*73, at Cawson's, Prince George Co., 
the family seat of his mother. He was descended, 
in the seventh generation, from Pocahontas, the In- 
dian Princess. His mother was an exemplary mem- 
ber of the Episcopal Church, and a lady of spright- 
liness and talent. She early taught her son on her 
bended knees the prayers and collects used in the 
Episcopal form of worship, which were never effaced 



229 

from his memory. " Years," said he, " have since 
passed away : I have been a professed skeptic, a pro- 
fessed scoffer, glorying in my infidelity, and vain of 
the ingenuity with which I could defend it. ... I 
am now conscious that the lessons above mentioned, 
taught me by my dear and revered mother, are of 
more value than all I have learned from my precep- 
tors and compeers." 

Randolph, in the course of his early education, 
passed a short time at three Colleges: Princeton, 
Columbia, and William and Mary ; but he used to 
say, that he acquired all his knowledge from his Li- 
brary at Roanoke, and by intercourse with the world. 
Mr. Randolph's political course commenced in 1799, 
when he presented himself as a candidate for Con- 
gress. His first speech was one in opposition to one 
of Patrick Henry, the celebrated orator, — who, in a 
masterly manner, advocated the duty of sustaining 
the National government. When Mr. Henry left 
the stand, Randolph, then about 26 years of age, 
rose in reply. " His singular person," says one, " his 
novel, shrill, vibrating intonations ; his solemn, slow, 
marching and swelling periods ; his caustic crimina- 
tion of the prevailing political party ; his cutting 
satire, soon inclined all to listen to the strange ora- 
tor, while he replied at length to the sentiments of 
their old favorite. When he had concluded, loud 
huzzas rang through the welkin." 

Though a disciple of the Jeffersonian school, he 
opposed the embargo and non-intercourse acts, and 
the gun-boat system of Mr. Jefferson. 

In Madison's administration, he opposed the war 
with Great Britain, and in the administration of 
Monroe, he opposed the internal improvement sys- 
tem of the general government. During the admin- 
istration ofJ. Q. Adams, Mr. Randolph was elected 
to the U. S. Senate, where he was arrayed in oppo- 
20 



230 

sition to the friends of the President. It was then 
that he used those violent remarks which occasioned 
the duel between himself and Mr. Clay. The par- 
ties having met, on the word being given, Mr. Clay 
fired without effect ; Mr. Randolph discharged his 
pistol in the air. Both parties collected on this oc- 
casion were deeply affected by this magnanimity, 
and none more so than was Mr. Clay. 

Early in the administration of President Jackson, 
he was appointed a Minister-plenipotentiary to Rus- 
sia. He suddenly returned from his mission, came 
into Charlotte, and raised his standard in opposition 
to the executive. Death however, terminated his 
labors. He died at Philadelphia, May 24, 1833, 
whither he had gone to embark for his health. 

Mr. Randolph was quite eccentric in his personal 
appearance, and in his habits of living in solitude in 
a forest-like spot, attended by his faithful servants. 
His attachments and hatreds were alike strong. His 
affection for his servants was great ; and his treat- 
ment, kind and generous, excited that gratitude 
which is a marked feature in the African race. He 
was charitable to the poor in his neighborhood, and 
beloved by them. He was wealthy, having 318 
slaves, and 180 horses. 

In the former part of his life, Mr. Randolph be- 
came, it is supposed, by the perusal of the numerous 
skeptical publications of the day, rather of an infidel 
in sentiment. As he advanced to maturer years, 
these opinions were discarded, and it is believed by 
many that he became a genuine convert to the Christ- 
ian religion. About the year 1800, after a season 
of unusual gloom and depression, he experienced a 
remarkable change in his feelings, cordially embra- 
cing the evangelical doctrines, in his heart and life. 

" Mr. Randolph," says one, " had a great venera- 
tion for religion, and a most intimate knowledge of 



231 

the Bible. His strongest illustrations were often 
from Sacred writ, and he could converse upon it in 
the most interesting manner. He was peculiarly a 
being of impulse, often reminding one, by his eccen- 
tricities, of the saying of Cicero, ' that there was but 
a hair's-breadth between a great genius and a mad- 
man.' When excited, he sometimes, inadvertently, 
used the name of the Almighty irreverently ; upon 
Avhich, instantly checking his impetuosity, he would, 
with deep humility, asking forgiveness exclaim, "God 
forgive." Towards the latter part of his life, he 
was accustomed to call his servants together on Sun- 
days, when he would preach to them with the most 
surpassing eloquence." 

Like Washington, the Father of his country, Mr. 
Randolph, for a long period before his death, be- 
came impressed with the evil of slavery in this 
country, and took measures, so far as he was person- 
ally concerned, to abolish it. In 1 8 1 9, Mr. R. made a 
will to the following effect, and afterwards estab- 
lished it in several forms : — 

"I give to my slaves their freedom, to which my conscience 
tells me they are entitled. It has a long time been a matter of 
deep regret to me, that the circumstances under which I inher- 
ited them, and the obstacles thrown in the way by the laws of 
the land, have prevented my emancipating them in my lifetime, 
which it is my full intention to do, in case I can accomplish it." 

In the heat of political debate, and at other times, 
Mr. Randolph sometimes gave way to words and 
feelings inconsistent with the spirit of Christianity. 
To his sensitive nature, it Avas the remembrance of 
this, probably, that embittered his last moments. 
As he lay perfectly quiet, with his eyes closed, he 
suddenly roused up and exclaimed, " Remorse, re- 
morse /" It was thrice repeated — the last time, at 
the top of his voice, with great agitation. He cried 
out, " Get a Dictionary, and let me see the word." 



232 

" There is none in the room, Sir." " Write it down, 
then — let me see the word." The Doctor picked up 
one of his cards, " Randolph of Roanoke." — Shall I 
write it on this card ?" " Yes, nothing more proper." 
The word, remorse, was then written in pencil. He 
took the card, and fastened his eyes on it with great 
intensity. He then exclaimed, "Write it on the 
back ;" — it was so done and handed him again. He 
was extremely agitated. Remorse! you have no 
idea what it is : — it has contributed to bring me to 
my present situation — but I have looked to the Lord 
Jesus Christ, and hope I have obtained pardon." 

Having called witnesses around his dying bed, he 
roused his expiring energies to this last effort. Point- 
ing, with his long index finger towards them, he 
said, "I confirm all the directions in my Will re- 
specting my slaves, and direct them to be enforced, 
particularly in regard to a provision for their sup- 
port." And then, raising his arm, he brought down 
his hand on the shoulder of his favorite servant, 
John, and added these words, — " especially for this 
man." Having disposed of this subject, so deeply 
impressed upon him, his powerful mind gave way, 
and began to wander amid scenes and friends that 

he had left behind, and soon expired " His 

remains," says his biographer, " were taken to Vir- 
ginia, and buried at Roanoke, not far from the man- 
sion in which he lived, and in the midst of that 
"boundless contiguity of shade," where he spent so 
many hours of anguish and of solitude. He sleeps 
quietly now ; the squirrel may gambol in the boughs 
above, the partridge may whistle in the long grass 
that waves over that solitary grave, and none shall 
disturb or make afraid." 



0;">3 




Kossuth addressing the people, 18o.i. 
KOSSUTH, THE HUNGARIAN GOVERNOR. 

Louis Kossuth was born in the northern part of 
Hungary, April 27th, 1806. His family was ancient 
and honorable, but impoverished. His father served 
in the Austrian army, against Napoleon. Kossuth, 
when just entering manhood, made his way to Pesth, 
the capitol, to study the legal profession. Here he 
made himself known by his liberal opinions, and the 
fervid eloquence with which he set forth and main- 
tained them. About this time, after an interval of 
thirteen years, the Hungarian diet assembled, and 
demanded certain reforms from the Austrian gov- 
ernment. In the political struggles that ensued, 
Kossuth made himself known, as a debater, and 
gradually rose to be the first leader among his coun- 
trymen. 

20* 



234 

Kossuth undertook to publish a report of the de- 
bates and proceedings of the diet. The Austrian 
government forbade the printing of these reports. 
He, for a while, evaded the law, by having his sheet 
lithographed. The lithographic press was seized; 
he then circulated his journal by having each copy 
Written out by scribes. The government, at length, 
seized Kossuth himself, and confined him in the for- 
tress of Buda, in May, 1837, for three years. After 
his liberation, in 1840, Kossuth became the principal 
editor of the "Pesth Gazette." The French Revo- 
lution of 1848, produced great excitement through- 
out Europe, and in 1849, the people of Hungary, 
wearied with Austrian despotism, declared their in- 
dependence, and elected Kossuth as their governor. 

The Hungarians nobly sustained their cause for 
several months, till the advance of a large army of 
Russians, and the treason of Georgey, forced them 
to give up the contest. When all hope was lost, 
Kossuth, his wife, and children, and a few faithful 
followers, fled to Turkey. The Turkish Sultan re- 
fused to give up the fugitives to t^e demands of 
Austria, or Russia ; but, as a sort of compromise, 
agreed to keep them within his own territory for a 
year. At the end of this term, the United States 
government tendered Kossuth and his companions, 
a national vessel, to bring them to the United States. 
They embarked on board the Steam-frigate Missis- 
sippi, in Sept., 1851. Instead of proceeding directly 
to the United States, Kossuth and his friends visited 
England, where they were enthusiastically received, 
and their progress through that country was one 
continued triumph. 

Kossuth landed on Staten Island, N. Y., Dec. 5th, 
1851. His journey through the greater part of the 
States, was like a continued ovation. The number 
of speeches, great and small, during his six months 



235 

lour through our country, has been reckoned up- 
wards of five hundred. He was welcomed by seve- 
ral of the State governments, by deputations from 
various classes and organizations, and many thou- 
sands of dollars were raised in aid of Hungary by 
voluntary contributions. His noble advocacy of the 
rights of the people and universal brotherhood, his 
unwearied labors to promote the welfare of his coun- 
try, and his devotion to the cause of human freedom 
in general, endeared him to the great majority of 
the people of the United States. The policy of our 
government forbade its giving material aid: but 
Kossuth received an expression of its warmest sym- 
pathies. 

One of the most remarkable political speeches of 
the age, was that given by Kossuth at Broadway 
Tabernacle, New York, by the request of a large 
number of ladies and gentlemen, to devise the means 
of sustaining the exiled family of Kossuth, consist- 
ing of his mother, his sisters, and their children. 
The following are some extracts from that speech : — 

" I certainly have an unwavering faith in the des- 
tinies of humanity ; and though the mournful exam- 
ple of so many fallen nations, instructs us that nei- 
ther the diffusion of knowledge, nor the progress of 
industry, neither prosperity, nor power, nay, not 
even freedom itself, can secure a future to nations, 
still I say there is one thing that can secure it ; there 
is one law, the obedience to which would prove a 
rock upon which the freedom and happiness of na- 
tions may rest secure to the end of their days. And 
that law, ladies and gentlemen, is the law proclaim- 
ed by our Savior ; that rock is the unperverted re- 
ligion of Christ I humbly claim your for- 
bearance ; I proclaim it in the name of the Almighty 
Lord, to hear from my lips a mournful truth. It 
may displease you ; it may offend ; but still, truth 



236 

is truth Let come what may, I say with 

Luther : God help me, I cannot say otherwise. Yes, 
ladies and gentlemen, the law of our Savior, the re- 
ligion of Christ, can secure a happy future to na- 
tions. But alas ! there is yet no Christian people on 
earth, — not a single one among all. I have spoken 
the word. It is harsh, but true. Nearly two thou- 
sand years have passed since Christ proclaimed the 
eternal decree of God, to which the happiness of 
mankind is bound, and has sanctified it with his 
own blood, and still there is not one single nation 
on earth, which would have enacted into its law- 
book that eternal decree. 

Men believe in the mysteries of religion according to the creed 
of their church, they pray and give alms to the poor, and believe 
they are Christians. No I some few there may be, but their na- 
tion is not, — their country is not ; the era of Christianity has 
yet to come, and when it comes, then, only then, will be the fu- 
ture of nations sure. Far be it from me to misapprehend the 
immense benefit which the Christian religion, such as it already 

is, has operated in mankind's history But though the 

beneficial influence of Christianity, yet it is not to be disputed, 

that the law of Christ does yet nowhere rule the Christian world. 

.... Here every man is free to worship God as he chooses 

to do It is a fact which entitles to the hope that your 

nation will revive the law of Christ even on earth. However, 
the guarantee which your Constitution affords to religious lib- 
erty here, is precisely the infinite merit of the Christian religion ; 
it desires us to do good. The doctrine of Jesus Christ is sub- 
lime in its majestic simplicity, "Thou shalt love God above all, 
and love thy neighbor as thou lovest thyself." 

This sublime doctrine is the religion of love. It is the religion 
of charity Thou art oppressed, my fatherland! be- 
cause the principles of Christianity have not been executed in 
practice, . . . because the law of Christianity does not control 

the policy of nations Thou art fallen, my country, 

because Christianity has yet to come. ... Oh Charity ! thou 
fairest gift of heaven ! thou family link among nations ; thou 
rock of their security ; thou deliverer of the oppressed ; whence 
comes thy realm ? . . . . Which is the nation to achieve that 
triumph of Christianity by protecting justice out of charity? 
Which shall do it if not yours ? .... ye, ye missionaries, — re- 
mind those whom you leave, that the example of a nation exer- 
cising right and justice on earth by charity, would be the might- 
iest propagandism of Christian religion." 



23' 




THE OLD OAKEN BUCKET. 

Samuel Woodworth, the author of " The Old 
Oaken Bucket" a piece so well known and admired, 
was born in Scituate, Mass., Jan. 13th, 1785. He 
was the son of a farmer of small means, and was una- 
ble to give his children anything more than a scanty 
tuition. At the age of fourteen, he attracted the 
notice of the minister of the parish, by some of his 
poetical attempts, and was taken by him under his 
own roof. An unsuccessful attempt was made to 
collect a subscription to send him to College, and he 
was therefore obliged to enter into some business in 
which he could obtain a maintenance. He chose 
that of a printer, and accordingly put himself as an 
apprentice in the office of the " Columbian Sentinel," 
in Boston. In 1806, he found employment, for a 
short time, in New Haven, Conn., as printer and 
editor. He afterwards went to Baltimore and New 
York. He died in 1842. 



23S 

Mr. "Wood-worth was a writer for several public 
journals, besides serving as editor to a number of 
literary works. The short piece entitled the " Old 
Oaken Bucket," is the most esteemed. It is distin- 
guished for simplicity of thought and expression, 
and the musical sweetness of its numbers. It is 
inded a " life drawn picture," as most can testify, 
who have worked on a farm in the rural districts 
during the hot season of the year. 

The Old Oaken Bucket. 

How dear to this heart are the scenes of my childhoo d, 

When fond recollection presents them to view ! 
The orchard, the meadow, the deep-tangled wildwood, 

And every loved spot which my infancy knew ! 
The wide-speading pond, and the mill that stood by it, 

The bridge, and the rock where the cataract fell, 
The cot of my father, and the dairy-house nigh it, 

And e'en the rude bucket that hung in the well — 
The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket, 
The moss-covered bucket which hung in the well. 

That moss-covered vessel I hail'd as a treasure, 

For often at noon, when returned from the field, 
I found it the source of an exqusite pleasure, 

The purest and sweetest that Nature can yield. 
How ardent I seized it, with hands that were glowing, 

And quick to the white-pebbled bottom it fell; 
Then soon with the emblem of truth overflowing, 

And dripping with coolness, it rose from the well — 
The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket, 
The moss-cover'd bucket arose from the well. 

How sweet from the green mossy brim to receive it, 

A s poised on the curb it inclined to my lips ! 
Not a full blushing goblet could tempt me to leave it, 

The brightest that beauty or revelry sips. 
And now, far removed from the loved habitation, 

The tear of regret will intrusively swell, 
As fancy reverts to my father's plantation, 

And sighs for the bucket that hangs in the well — 
The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket. 
The moss-cover'd bucket that hangs in the well ! 



230 




Children's Temperance Procession. 
TEMPERANCE REFORMATION. 

In the early settlement of our country, great care 
was taken to prevent the sale and use of intoxica- 
ting drinks, except in very small quantities, for 
medicinal and other purposes. In most places, 
for the first century after its settlement, the popula- 
tion of the country may be considered as temperate, 
and, of course, free- from the attending vices of 
drunkenness. But as the political importance of the 
country increased, commerce was much increased 
with older countries, the importation and use of ar- 
dent spirits was much extended. 

The military wars in which the Colonists were en- 
gaged, particularly that of the Revolution, however 
glorious in some respects, was disastrous to the mor- 



240 

als of the army. The spirit rations dealt out each 
day to every man, (as was the custom of the times,) 
brought many a patriot soldier to a drunkard's grave. 
From this period, intemperance, with all its deadly 
evils, marched through the length and breadth of 
the land, growing with the unparalleled increase of 
the population, and increased in the same ratio 
with the cheapness of intoxicating drinks. 

It is true that some religious and other societies, 
with some individuals, endeavored to make a stand 
against the growing evil. " Moral Societies" were 
formed to stop the excessive use of intoxicating 
liquors; afterwards, societies were formed to sup- 
press the drinking of ardent, or the stronger kinds 
of spirits, while wine, cordials, ale, <fcc, were allow- 
ed. In 1826, the American Temperance Society 
was formed in Boston, Mass., on the principle of 
abstinence from all distilled spirits. In 1832, there 
were, in the United States, over four thousand tem- 
perance Societies, with over half a million of mem- 
bers. 

In 1833, it was estimated that there were seven 
hundred vessels afloat on the ocean in which ardent 
spirits were not used. In this year, the American 
Congressional Temperance Society was formed at 
Washington, with Hon. Lewis Cass, Secretary of 
War, as President. A few months previous, the 
issue of ardent spirits to the army was prohibited. 
The United States temperance Convention, com- 
posed of four hundred delegates from twenty-one 
States, met in Philadelphia, and adopted, in one of 
its resolutions, " that the traffic in ardent spirits, to 
be used as a beverage, is morally wrong. In 1836, 
the " American Temperance Union" was formed on 
the principle of total abstinence from all intoxica- 
ting liquors ; since which it became one of the lead- 
ing societies. The pledge of the Union is : — 



241 

" We, the undersigned, do agree that we will not 
use intoxicating liquors as a beverage, nor traffic in 
them ; that we will not provide them as an article 
of entertainment, or for persons in our employment, 
and that in all suitable ways we w T ill discountenance 
their use throughout the community." 

The next movement in the Temperance cause was, 
the passage of laws to prohibit, or restrain, the traffic 
in spirituous liquors, as it was urged that " moral 
suasion'''' was not sufficient. In 1838, the Legisla- 
ture of Massachusetts passed an act called the " fif- 
teen gallon law," which forbade the sale of any 
quantity less than fifteen gallons, and the retailing 
of any spirituous liquor, except by licensed apothe- 
caries and physicians. Other States also passed 
laws to restrict the sale within their limits. 

In 1840, the temperance cause received a great 
impetus by the formation of " Washington Tempe- 
rance Societies." This was originated in Baltimore 
by six intemperate men, who, having met in their 
usual manner at a tavern, became suddenly impress- 
ed, that it was their duty to do something to save 
themselves from the ruin to which they were rapidly 
approaching. They banded together, and pledged 
themselves to each other, " never again to drink any 
kind of intoxicating drink, — spirits, wine, malt, or 
cider." These " Washingtonians " prevailed upon 
many of their old drinking companions to sign the 
pledge, and by their efforts and that of others, some 
thousands, in a short time, joined their standard. 

One of these, John H. W. Hawkins, who had be- 
come reduced to the lowest stages of intemperance, 
became a celebrated Temperance lecturer, in many 
parts of our country. Others of the Baltimore re- 
formed men, held temperance meetings in several 
States, and their success was astonishing. Ladies 
combined, in several cities, in associations called 
21 



242 

" Martha Washington Societies," taking the work of 
supplying the wants of the reformed into their own 
hands, which was attended with the most happy 
consequences. At the first Temperance procession 
in Baltimore, April 5th, 1841, the whole city came 
out to see what new thing this was, and to bid them 
God speed. 

A new feature, at this period, was, the formation 
of Children's Temperance Societies, called the " Cold 
Water Army." In the year 1841, in the single 
State of Massachusetts, thirty-five thousand badges 
and twelve hundred children's banners, were sold. 
In Sunday Schools, all over the land, great numbers 
of children formed themselves into Temperance So- 
cieties. They gathered by thousands on the Fourth 
of July, and on other occasions, and marched to 
some beautiful Grove, to hear addresses, sing Tem- 
perance songs, and partake of the bountiful repast 
provided for them. 

The year 1851 was distinguished by the celebra- 
ted Maine Liquor Law. The object of this law was 
not to regulate or limit the manufacture and sale of 
intoxicating liquors, but to prohibit them altogther. 
It makes the liquor business a crime, for which the 
offender is liable to be punished, and his liquors con- 
fiscated and destroyed. The results of this law sur- 
passed expectation, in diminishing pauperism and 
crime, and increased the comfort and prosperity of 
unnumbered families. 

Other States have adopted the Maine Law prin- 
ciple, and wherever the law has been properly sus- 
tained by the people, it has been attended with hap- 
py results. The love of strong drink has been al- 
most universal ; this, with the vast amount invested 
in the manufacture, together with the great number 
who live by the traffic, present, indeed, a most for- 
midable barrier, to the advancement of the cause. 



243 

Although the friends of temperance have not effect- 
ed all that they could wish, yet they have reason to 
rejoice, that such a host have, through their exer- 
tions, abandoned the use of intoxicating liquors, 
and, in consequence, a vast amount of suffering, 
poverty, misery, and human degradation, have been 
prevented. 

The following is one of the songs of the " Cold 
Water Army" sung by the children : — 

Our youthful hearts with temperance burn, 

Away, away the bowl, 
From dram shops all, our steps we turn, 

Away, away the bowl; 
Farewell to rum and all its harms, 
Farewell the wine-cup's boasted charms ; 

Away the bowl, away the bowl, &c. 

See how the staggering drunkard reels ! 

Away, away the bowl : 
Alas ! the misery he reveals ! 

Away, away the bowl ; 
His children grieve, his wife, in tears, 
How sad his once bright home appears. 

Away the bowl, away the bowl, &c. 

Boys. — We drink no more, nor buy, nor sell, 

Away, away the bowl : 
Girls. — The drunkard's offer we repel, 

Away, away the bowl : 
All — United in a temperance band 

We're joined in heart, we're joined in hand, 
Away the bowl, away the bowl, &c. 



24* 




!MqH!|Qj 




View of Brainerd, a Missionary station, 1820. 
THE CHEROKEE MISSION IN TENNESSEE, &c. 

The first mission of the American Board for For- 
eign Missions among the Indians in this country, 
was commenced by Mr. Kingsbury in 1817, at a 
spot called Chickamaitga, since named Brainerd, in 
remembrance of a celebrated missionary of that 
name. It was situated in the vicinity of Chatta- 
nooga, two miles north of the line dividing Georgia 
from Tennessee, on the Chickamauga creek, about 
seven miles from its junction with the Tennessee 
river. In this region, the Cherokees held a territory 
of 12,000 square miles, two-thirds of which lay in 
Georgia. Missionary Ridge, doubtless so named 
from the missionary station near it, and Lookout 
mountain, seven miles due west of Brainerd, have 



245 

both been rendered memorable by the victories ob- 
tained by the Union forecs under Gen. Grant in 
Nov. 1863. 

The view given above, shows the principal part of 
the settlement, as it appeared about the year 1820. 
It was situated on a clearing of about fifty acres, in 
the wilderness, whose dark forests closed them in on 
every side. Nearly in the center of the row of 
buildings is the mission house, two stories high, 
having a piazza and a pleasant court yard in front. 
It was occupied by the superintendent and other 
missionaries. At a few feet distance stands another 
building of two stories, used for the instruction of 
girls. It was well finished, being built by the par- 
ticular direction of the President of the United 
States, who called here in 1819, on his tour through 
the Western States. Many smaller are ranged on 
the right and left of these two, lodging places for 
the children and other persons connected with the 
institution. 

The school-house for boys is seen on the right of 
the engraving, was large enough to accommodate 
one hundred scholars, and on Sundays was used as 
a place of worship for the inhabitants. The whole 
number of buildings connected with the institution 
was upwards of thirty. They were, however, con- 
structed of logs, and made but a plain appearance. 
A saw-mill, and a grist-mill, turned by a canal, 
were within a few rods distance. Rev. Dr. Win- 
chester, of Massachusetts, an active member of the 
American Board, died at this place, June 7th, 1821, 
while on a visit here. His remains were interred in 
the grave-yard of the Institution, in an orchard 
seen near the school-house, on the left. 

The object of this mission, or Institution, was, to 
instruct the natives in the Gospel ; and to teach 
them the necessary arts of civilized life. This effort 
21* 



246 

was successful. Numbers embraced Christianity, 
and gave proof of their sincerity, in their blameless 
lives, afterwards. The habits and feelings of the 
savage were no longer perceived; they were ex- 
changed for those of the industrious man and con- 
sistent Christian. A view of Brainerd, given in the 
"Religious Intelligencer," in June, 1823, was ac- 
companied with the following lines : — 

How doth this feeble and imperfect view, 
Inspire the soul with sentiments sublime, 

And kindle in the pious soul anew 

The flame of holy zeal, and love divine. 

We see the Mission-house, with loftier mem, 
Stand 'mid the circle like a central star, 

Round which these lower constellations shine, 
And shed united rays of light alar. 

We seem to join them in their morning song, 
And listen to their fervent evening prayer, 

While praise to God, arises from the tongue 
Of infant heathen, taught and nurtured there. 

The Missions continued to flourish ; eight church- 
es or stations were established, and the mass of the 
Cherokees became civilized, and, externally, em- 
braced the Christian religion. In 1828, and 1829, 
the State of Georgia repudiated the independent 
government which the Cherokees attempted to es- 
tablish among themselves, extended her laws over 
them, and forbade the missionaries of the Board to 
reside among them. Mr. Worcester and Dr. Butler, 
for violating this law, were imprisoned in the Geor- 
gia Penitentiary. In 1832, the Supreme Court or- 
dered their release. Congress had, however, passed 



247 

a law for the removal of the Indians to the west of 
the Mississippi, in 1830. On Sunday, Aug. 19th, 
1835, the church at Brainerd met for the last time 
at that place, on a Sacramental occasion. In 1838, 
the whole Cherokee nation, 16,000 in number, set 
out on their journey of four or five weeks, of 600 
or 700 miles westward. About one-fourth of their 
number perished on the way. Their lands were 
sold for five millions of dollars. Their lands in Ge- 
orgia were divided into farms of 140 acres each, and 
distributed among the Avhite inhabitants by a Lot- 
tery. 

Much wrong and injustice was committed upon a 
comparatively harmless people, but retributive jus- 
tice sometimes overtakes transgressors in this life. 
Some of them, no doubt, with their children, have 
been driven from their homes by the dread calami- 
ties of war. The thunder of artillery has been heard 
on the Missionary Ridge, vindicating the cause of 
the oppressed. 

It is a relief to the mind, that when we think of 
the oppressions of a portion of our countrymen, we 
can turn to another portion, or class of them, in va- 
rious denominations, who have been on the side of 
God and humanity, endeavoring to benefit a people 
evidently wasting away. Though he who labors 
for the good of others may not see the full effect he 
could wish, though the. place where he labored may 
become a desolation, yet he, and all his efforts, will 
be held in everlasting remembrance. 



248 



l^mmmm 



mm 



HOME, SWEET HOME ; 

IJY JOHN HOWARD PAYNE. 



Sweet Home. 

'Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam, 
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home ! 
A charm from the skies seems to hallow us there, 
Which seek through the world, is ne'er met with elsewhere. 

Home ! home, sweet home ! 

There's no place like home! 

An exile from home, splendor dazzles in vain ; 

0, give me my lowly thatched cottage again, 

The birds singing gayly that come at my call : 

Give me these, and the peace of mind, dearer than all. 

Home ! sweet, sweet home ! 

There's no place like home ! 

John Howard Payne evinced, in early youth, re- 
markable predilection for the stage, with high lite- 
rary aspirations. At 13 years of age, while a clerk 
in a mercantile house in New York, he secretly ed- 
ited a little periodical called the " Thespian Mirror," 
and showed so much ability in this capacity, that a 
benevolent gentleman, named Seaman, offered to 
defray his expenses at Union College. By the 
bankruptcy of his father, he was obliged to leave 



240 

this institution before he could complete his Colle- 
giate course. As a means of supporting the family, 
he went upon the stage at the Park Theatre, New 
York, in Feb. 1809. His performances were quite 
successful in the principal cities in the United jkates. 

In 1813 he visited England, where he connnued 
for twenty years with varied success as an actor, 
manager, &c. He made translations of French 
dramas, and also a number of original plays and 
adaptations. As a poet he will be known only by 
a song of two stanzas, and by this, for all time, writ- 
ten, it is said, when he was starving in an attic in 
the Palais Royal in Paris. " Home, Sweet Home," 
is from an opera called " Clara,' 1 and was written 
by Mr. Payne for Charles Kemble, of the Covent 
Garden Theatre, in London. It made the fortune 
of every one prominently connected with it, except 
the author, who received only thirty pounds. In 
1832, Mr. Payne returned to the United States, and, 
after employing himself for several years in literary 
pursuits, he received the appointment of American 
consul at Tunis, which office he held at the time of 
his death, June 5th, 1852. 

Mr. Payne was a capable and efficient representa- 
tive of his country, whose honor and prosperity he 
labored to promote. Through his efforts, a substan- 
tial and commodious consulate was erected, by the 
Bey of Tunis, and from this consulate rises the tall- 
est mast, and is exhibited on State occasions, the 
largest flag, in the city. 

At the time of his death in Tunis, Mr. Payne was 
attended by his Moorish domestic, and two Sisters 
of Charity ; and a priest of the Greek Church said 
prayers over his remains at the grave. At the head 
of the marble slab that lies over his remains, is the 
United States seal, with thirty-two stars, and then 
follows the inscription: — 



250 

"In memory of Col. John Howard Payne, twice Consul of 
the United States of America for the Kingdom of Tunis ; this 
stone is here placed by a grateful country. He died at the 
American Consulate in this city, after a painful illness, April 1st, 
1852. He was born in the city of Boston, State of Massachu- 
setts, %ne 8, 1792. His fame as a poet and dramatist is well 
known^herever the English language is spoken, through his 
celebrated ballad 'Sweet Home,' his popular tragedy 'Brutus,' 
and other similar productions." 

The stone is an oblong slab of Italian marble, 
and each end of the slab has a line of poetry, thus : 

" Sure, when thy gentle spirit fled 

To realms beyond the azure dome, 
"With arms outstretched God's angels said : 
Welcome to Heaven's ' Home, Sweet Home.' " 



The following 1st and 5th stanzas of a hymn, adapted to the 
tune and measure of the preceding lines, is often used by reli- 
gious persons in their meetings for social worship : — 

'Mid scenes of confusion and creature complaints, 
How sweet to my soul is communion with saints, 
To find at the banquet of mercy there's room, 
And feel in the presence of Jesus at home. 
Home ! Jiome, sweet home ! &c. 

Whate'er thou deniest, oh, give me thy grace, 
The Spirit's sure witness, and smiles of thy face ; 
Endue me with patience to wait at thy throne, 
And find, even now, a sweet foretaste of home. 
Home ! home, &c. 



251 




Gen. Morgan's Regimental Flag. 
GEN. DANIEL MORGAN. 

Major Gen. Daniel Morgan, the intrepid com- 
mander of Riflemen in the Revolution, was a native 
of New Jersey, born in 1737, and, at an early age, 
went to Virginia. He was a private soldier under 
Braddock in 1755, and after the defeat of that offi- 
cer, returned to his occupation of a farmer and gar- 
dener. When the Revolutionary war broke out, 
he joined the American army, near Boston. He ac- 
companied Arnold, in his march through the wilder- 
ness, to Quebec, and distinguished himself in the 
siege of that city. He was made a prisoner there. 
After his exchange, he was appointed to the com- 
mand of the 1 1th Virginia Regiment, in which was 
incorporated his rifle corps. He was called " the 
bravest of the brave," and performed many import- 
ant services to his countrymen. His victory at the 
Cowpens was considered a most brilliant affair, and 
Congress voted him a gold medal. After the war, 
Gen. Morgan retired to his estate near Winchester, 
and in 1800, removed to that place, where, after a 
confinement of two years, from extreme debility, he 
expired. 



252 

In person, Gen. Morgan was six feet in height, 
large, strong, and very muscular. He had neither 
the advantages of wealth or education. He was 
profane in his language, and somewhat rough in 
manner. By the teachings of a pious mother, he 
ever remained a believer in Christianity. This 
" thunderbolt of war," this " brave Morgan who 
never knew fear," in his latter years, professed reli- 
gion, and united himself with the Presbyterian 
church in Winchester. A writer of the "Winchester 
Republican," in an article descriptive of the Win- 
chester grave-yard, in speaking of Morgan, says : — 

"His last days were passed in this town; and while sinking 
to the grave, he related to his minister the experience of his 
soul. 'People thought,' said he, 'that Daniel Morgan never 
prayed;' — 'People said old Morgan never was afraid;' — 'Peo- 
ple did not know.' He then proceeded to relate, in his blunt 
manner, among many other things, that the night they stormed 
Quebec, while waiting, in the darkness and storm, with his men 
paraded, for the word to advance, he felt unhappy ; the enter- 
prise appeared more than perilous ; it seemed to him that no- 
thing less than a miracle could bring them off safe from an en- 
counter at such an amazing disadvantage. He stepped aside 
and kneeled by the side of a munition of war — and then most 
fervently prayed that the Lord God Almighty would be his 
shield and defense, for nothing less than an Almighty arm could 
protect him. He continued on his knees till the word passed 
along the line. He fully believed that his safety during that night 
of peril was from the interposition of God. Again, he said, 
about the battle of Cowpens, which covered him with so much 
glory as a leader and a soldier — he had felt afraid to fight Tarle- 
ton, with his numerous army, flushed with success — and that he 
retreated as long as he could — till his men complained — and he 
could go no further. Drawing up his army in three lines, on 
the hill-side ; contemplating the scene — in the distance, the glit- 
ter of the advancing enemy — he trembled for the fate of the 
day. Going to the woods in the rear, he kneeled in an old tree- 
top, and poured out a prayer to God for his army, and for him- 
self, and for his country. With relieved spirits he returned to 
the lines, and in his rough manner cheered them for the fight ; 
as he passed along, they answered him bravely. The terrible 
carnage that followed the deadlv aim of his lines, decided the 



253 

victory. In a few moments Tarleton fled. ' Ah,' said he, ' peo- 
ple said old Morgan never feared;' — 'they thought old Morgan 
never prayed, they did not know;' — 'old Morgan was often mis- 
erably afraid.' And if he had not been, in the circumstances of 
amazing responsibility in which he was placed, how could he 
have been brave ? 

" The last of his riflemen are gone: the brave and hardy gal- 
lants of this valley, that waded to Canada and stormed Quebec, 
are all gone — gone, too, are Morgan's sharp-shooters of Sarato- 
ga. For a long time, two, that shared his captivity in Canada, 
were seen in this village, wasting away to shadows of their 
youth, celebrating with enthusiasm the night of their battle, as 
the year rolled round — Peter Lauck and John Schultz. But 
they have answered the roll-call of death, and have joined their 
leader ; the hardy Lauck wondering that Schultz, the feeblest 
of the band, whom he had so often carried through the snows 
of Canada, should outlive him. There is interest round the last 
of such a corps." 

The following is a copy of the inscription on the 
monument of Gen. Morgan, a horizontal slab, raised 
a few feet from the ground : — 



Majoi>General DANIEL MORGAN 

departed this life 

On July the 6th, 1802, 

In the 67th year of his age. 

Patriotism and valor were the 

prominent features of his character, 

And 

the honorable services he rendered 

to his country 

during the Revolutionary war, 

crowned him with Glory, and will 

remain in the Hearts of his 

Countrymen 

a Perpetual Monument 

to his 

Memory. 



22 



254 




Burial of Mr. Owens at sea, between New\York and Liverpool. 
THE BURIAL AT SEA. 

The introduction of the following scene, though 
not properly belonging to this, or any other coun- 
try, it is hoped will be pardoned by the reader. It 
was witnessed by the authors of this work, while on 
board the Royal Mail Steamer, Asia, in 1833, on her 
voyage from New York to Liverpool. Similar 
scenes have, undoubtedly, been witnessed by others, 
while going to, or returning from, our American 
shores. 

Mr. Owens, our fellow-passenger, was a native of "Wales, and 
had, for several years, followed the business of a gardener, near 
Boston. His health failing, he embarked for his native country, 
and sunk rapidly, but had a strong desire to see his mother and 
sister before he died. His hopes were frustrated, and he expired 
Aug. 18th, after having accomplished two-thirds of the voyage 
across the Atlantic. His remains were " committed to the deep" 
early the next morning, in a heavy, rolling and foaming sea, 
during a driving storm of wind and rain. 



255 

The following lines, entitled " The Funeral at Sea," were 
written, many years since, by Henry J. Finn, a native of Vir- 
ginia, but for some time a resident of Boston: — 

Deep mists hung over the Mariner's grave 
When the holy funeral rite was read ; 
And every breath on the dark blue wave 
Seem'd hush'd, to hallow the friendless dead. 

And heavily heaved on the gloomy sea, 

The ship that shelter'd that homeless one — 

As though his funeral hour should be, 

When the waves were still, and the winds were gone. 

And there he lay, in his coarse, cold shroud — 
And strangers were round the coffinless : 
Not a kinsman was seen among that crowd, 
Not an eye to weep, nor a lip to bless. 

No sound from the church's passing-bell 
Was echoed along the pathless deep, 
The hearts that were far away, to tell 
Where the Mariner lies, in his lasting sleep. 

Not a whisper then linger'd upon the air — 
O'er his body, one moment, his messmates bent: 
But the plunging sound of the dead was there — 
And the ocean is now his monument 1 

But many a sigh, and many a tear, 
Shall be breathed, and shed, in the hours to come — 
When the widow and the fatherless shall hear 
How he died, far, far from his happy home ! 



256 




Daniel Webster's residence, Harshfield, Mass. 

DANIEL WEBSTER, THE ORATOR. 

Daniel Webster, the orator from Massachusetts, 
sometimes called the " Expounder of the Constitu- 
tion," is generally considered the first Congressional 
orator of the present century. He was born at 
Salisbury, New Hampshire, Jan. 1 8th, 1782. He was 
educated at Dartmouth College, N. H., and after 
having been a member of Congress from his native 
State, he removed to Boston, and was elected Sena- 
tor from Massachusetts, and afterwards became Sec- 
retary of State. While a member of Congress, in 
1830, he made what is generally called his master 
speech, in reply to Col. Hayne, of South Carolina. 
Col. H. had commented, with some severity, upon 
the political course of the New England States, and 
advanced what are called " nullification doctrines." 
Mr. W. was called upon to vindicate New England, 
and point out the fallacies of nullification, before 



257 

one of the greatest audiences which ever assembled 
to hear a Congressional debate. It was in the course 
of this speech he said : — 

" Mr. President, I shall enter on no encomium upon Massa- 
chusetts, — she needs none. There she is, — behold her and 
judge for yourselves. There is her history, — the world knows 
it by heart. The past, at least, is secure. There is Boston, 
and Concord, and Lexington, and Bunker Hill ; and there they 
will remain forever. The bones of her sons, fallen in the great 
struggle for independence, now lie mingled with the soil of ev- 
ery State, from New England to Georgia ; and there they will 
lie forever. And, sir, where American liberty raised its first 
voice, and where its youth was nurtured and sustained, there 
it still lives, in the strength of its manhood, and full of its ori- 
ginal spirit. If discord and disunion shall wound it, — if party 
strife and blind ambition shall hawk at and tear it ; if folly and 
madness, if uneasiness, under salutary and necessary restraint, 
shall succeed to separate it from that Union by which alone its 
existence is made sure, it will stand, in the end, by the side of 
that cradle in which its infancy was rocked ; it will stretch forth 
its arm, with whatever of vigor it may still retain, over the 
friends who gather round it ; and it will fall at last, if fall it 
must, amidst the proudest monuments of its own glory, and on 
the very spot of its origin." 

While showing forth New England's sufferings 
and triumphs in the Revolutionary struggle, there 
was scarcely a dry eye in the Senate. A group of 
Massachusetts men were at this time clustered to- 
gether in the gallery, and when the orator, conclu- 
ding his encomium of the land of their birth, turned, 
intentionally or otherwise, his burning eye full upon 
them, "they shed tears like girls." Meeting Mr. 
ILiyne upon every issue with powerful arguments, 
he finally came to his remarks upon disunion. Ele- 
vated to the highest pitch of moral grandeur, his 
chest heaving with the emotions of his soul, with a 
voice that penetrated every recess or corner of the 
Senate, — even the ante-rooms and stairways, as he 
pronounced, in deepest tones of pathos, these words 
of solemn significance : — 



258 

"I profess, sir, in my career hitherto,, to have kept steadily 
in view the prosperity and honor of the whole country, and the 
preservation of our federal union. It is to that union we owe 
our safety at home, and our consideration and dignity abroad. 
It is to that union that we are chietiy indebted for whatever 
makes us most proud of our country. That union we reached 
only by the discipline of our virtues, in the severe school of ad- 
versity. It had its origin in the necessities of disordered finance, 
prostrate commerce, and ruined credit. Under its benign influ- 
ences, these great interests immediately awoke, as from the 
dead, and sprang forth with newness of life. Every year of its 
duration has teemed with fresh proof of its utility and its bles- 
sings ; and although our territory has stretched out wider and 
wider, and our population spread further and further, they have 
not outrun its protection, or its benefits. It has been to us all 
a copious fountain of national, social, and personal happiness. 

I have not allowed myself, sir, to look beyond the union, to 
see what might lie hidden in the dark recess behind. I have 
not coolly weighed the chances of preserving liberty, when the 
bonds that unite us together shall be broken asunder. I have 
not accustomed myself to hang over the precipice of disunion, 
to see whether, with my short sight, I can fathom the depth of 
the abyss below : nor could I regard him as a safe counselor in 
the affairs of this government, whose thoughts should be mainly 
bent on considering, not how the union should be best preserved, 
but how tolerable might be the condition of the people when it 
shall be broken up and destroyed. 

"While the union lasts, we have high, exciting, gratifying 
prospects spread out before us, for us and our children. Beyond 
that I seek not to penetrate the veil. God grant that, in my 
day, at least, that curtain may not rise. God grant that on my 
vision never may be opened what lies behind. When my eyes 
shall be turned to behold, for the last time, the sun in heaven, 
may I not see him shining on the broken and dishonored frag- 
ments of a once glorious union ; on States dissevered, discord- 
ant, belligerent ; on a land rent with civil feuds, or drenched, it 
may be, in fraternal blood ! Let their last feeble and lingering 
glance rather behold the gorgeous ensign of the republic, now 
known aud honored throughout the earth, still full high advan- 
ced, its arms and trophies streaming in their original luster, not 
a stripe erased or polluted, nor a single star obscured, — bearing 
for its motto no such miserable interrogatory as, What is all this 
worth ? Nor those other words of delusion and folly — Liberty 
first, and Union afterward — but everywhere, spread all over in 
characters of living light, blazing on all its ample folds, as they 



259 

float over the sea and over the land, and in every wind under the 
whole he&vens, that other sentiment dear to every true American 
heart — Liberty and Union now and fovever, one and insep- 
arable I" 

Such was the close of what is, doubtless, Web- 
ster's master-piece. Its delivery produced an effect 
upon his listeners never surpassed in the history of 
parliamentary debate. It is said, when u the speech 
was over, the tones of the orator still lingered upon 
the ear, and the audience, unconscious of the close, 
retained their positions. The agitated countenance, 
the heaving breast, the suffused eye, attested the 
continued influence of the spell upon them. Hands 
that, in the excitement of the moment, had sought 
each other, still remained closed in an unconscious 
grasp. Eye still turned to eye to receive and repay 
mutual sympathy, and seemed forgetful of all but 
the orator's presence and words." 

Speaking of his feelings toward his antagonist 
during the delivery of this splendid oration, Web- 
ster himself said: " I felt as if everything I had ever 
seen, or read, or heard, was floating before me in 
one grand panorama, and I had little else to do than 
to reach up and cull a thunderbolt and hurlit at him." 

Mr. Webster died at Marshfield, Mass., in 1852, 
and was buried in the old Winslow burying-ground, 
north-west of his house, one of the most ancient in 
New England. The following is the inscription on 
his monument, written by himself: — 

DANIEL WEBSTER; 

Born January 18, 1782. Died October 24, 1852. 
" Lord I believe, help thou mine unbelief." 
Philosophical argument, especially that drawn from the vastness of 
the Universe, in comparison with the apparent insignificance of this 
globe, has sometimps shaken my reason for the faith which is in me, 
but my heart has always assured and re-assured me, that the Gospel of 
Jesus Christ must be a Divine Reality. The Sermon on the Mount can- 
not be a merely human production. This belief enters into the very 
depth of my conscience. The whole history of man proves it. 

DANIEL WEBSTER. 



260 




JV. W. View of Harper's Ferry. 
JOHN BROWN, THE ABOLITIONIST. 

The attempt of John Brown to free the slaves in 
Virginia, which has been commonly termed the 
" raid of John Brown" took place at Harper's Fer- 
ry, Oct.* 16, 1859. This attempt, with the great and 
unexpected events which have since followed, will 
make his name memorable in our country's history, 
in all succeeding time. 

John Brown was a native of New England, and 
emigrated, with his seven sons, to Kansas, as agri- 
culturalists, and was peaceable and quiet in his dis- 
position. The pro-slavery party soon commenced a 
series of outrages on the anti-slavery emigrants, and 
the " Border Ruffian Warfare" soon followed. John 
Brown and his sons were engaged on the anti-slavery 
side. Two of his sons lost their wives in the con- 
test, and the remainder of the family, from that 



261 

time, appear to have been actuated by an intense 
hatred against slavery and its institutions. Brown 
visited various parts of the country to organize plans 
for the escape of fugitive slaves. 

In May, 1858, John Brown, with a number of 
confederates, visited a slave settlement in Canada, 
where a plan for a provisional Government of the 
United States was formed, and was appointed Com- 
mander-in-Chief. Soon afterwards, Brown, with 
two of his sons, hired a small farm in Maryland, 
near Harper's Ferry. Here a considerable quantity 
of arms and ammunition were collected, and a body 
of twenty-two men, of whom IV were whites and 5 
colored, joined him from various parts of the coun- 
try. With these, on the night of Oct. 16th, he made 
a descent on the town of Harper's Ferry, in which 
was situated a U. S. Arsenal, in which more than 
100,000 stand of arms were usually stored. Being 
unguarded, the buildings were taken without oppo- 
sition. 

The first act of hostility was the seizure of the 
watchman, on the Potomac bridge, who was carried 
prisoner to the Armory buildings, of which they had 
possession. It was not till early the next morning, 
(Monday,) that the inhabitants of Harper's Ferry 
began to suspect the impending danger. Several of 
the principal citizens, with several employees of the 
Government works, were captured and taken into 
the building occupied by the insurgents. Messen- 
gers were dispatched to all the neighboring towns 
for military assistance. In the mean time, a kind of 
isolated conflict took place between the insurgent 
sentinels and the citizens, and several were killed on 
both sides ; among the latter was Mr. Peckham, the 
Mayor of the place. 

Reinforcements arrived during the day, and at 1 1 
o'clock in the evening, the U. S. marines, under Col. 



262 

Lee, arrived, and invested the engine-house in which 
Brown and his associates, together with the prison- 
ers he had secured, were assembled. The next morn- 
ing, the doors were broken in, the insurgents were 
seized, and all except two, were either killed or 
wounded. The mid-day train brought Gov. Wise, 
and several hundred men, from Richmond, Alexan- 
dria, Baltimore and elsewhere. Much astonishment 
was expressed, that such a mere handful of insur- 
gents could make such an excitement. Ultimately, 
only two of their number escaped death. As John 
Brown was severely wounded, his trial did not take 
place till Oct. 26th, and continued for three days. 
He was found guilty of the charges against him. 
When the Clerk asked him whether he had anything 
to say why sentence should not be pronounced 
against him, he rose from the mattress on which' he 
lay, and in a clear, distinct voice, said : 

"I have, may it please the Court, a few words to say. In 
the first place, I deny everything but what I have all along ad- 
mitted, of a design on my part to free slaves. I intended, cer- 
tainly, to have made a clean thing of the matter, as I did last 
winter, when I went into Missouri, and there took slaves with- 
out the snapping of a gun on either side, moving them through 
the country, and finally leaving them in Canada. I designed to 
have done the same thing again on a larger scale. That was all 
I intended. I never did intend murder or treason, or the de- 
struction of property, or to excite or incite slaves to rebellion, 
or to make insurrection. I have another objection, and that is, 
that it is unjust that I should suffer such a penalty. Had I in- 
terfered in the manner in which I admit, and which I admit had 
been fully proved, — for I admire the truthfulness and candor of 
the greater portion of the witnesses who have testified in this 
case, — had I so interfered in behalf of the rich, the powerful, 
the intelligent, the so-called great, or in behalf of any of their 
friends, either father, mother, brother, sister, wife or children, 
or any of that class, and suffered and sacrificed what I have in 
this interference, it would have been all right ; every man in 
this Court would have deemed it an act worthy of reward, rather 
than punishment. 



263 

"This Court acknowledges, too, as I suppose, the validity of 
the law of G-od. I see a book kissed, which I suppose to be 
the Bible, or at least the New Testament, which teaches me, 
that all things whatsoever I would that men should do to me, I 
should do even so to them. It teaches me, further, to remem- 
ber them who are in bonds, as bound with them. I endeavored 
to act up to that instruction. I say I am yet too young to un- 
derstand that God is any respecter of persons. I believe that 
to have interfered as I have done, as I have always freely admit- 
ted 1 have done, in behalf of his despised poor, is no wrong, 
but right. Now, if it is necessary that I should forfeit my life, 
for the furtherance of the ends of justice, and mingle my blood 
further with the blood of my children, and with the blood of 
millions in this slave country, whose rights are disregarded by 
wicked, cruel, and unjust enactments, I say let it be done. Let 
me say one word further. I feel entirely satisfied with the 
treatment I have received on my trial. Considering all the cir- 
cumstances, it has been more generous than I expected ; but I 
feel no consciousness of guilt. I have stated, from the first, 
what was my intention and what was not. I never had any de- 
sign against the liberty of any person, nor any disposition to 
commit treason or incite slaves to rebel or make any general in- 
surrection. I never encouraged any man to do so, but always 
discouraged any idea of that kind. Let me say, also, in regard 
to the statements made by some of those who-were connected 
with me ; I fear it has been stated by some of them, that I have 
induced them to join me, but the contrary is true. I do not say 
this to injure them, but as regretting their weakness. Not one 
joined me but of his own accord, and the greatest part at their 
expense. A number of them I never saw and never had a word 
of conversation with, till the day they came to me, and that was 
for the purpose I have stated. Now I have done." 

John Brown was executed Dec. 2d. His body- 
was delivered to his wife, and carried to Essex Co., 
N". Y., and buried near the place of their residence. 
His name is fast becoming a rallying cry for free- 
dom, and the " John Brown Song'''' is sung, not only 
by the freedmen at the south, but by many others 
in various parts of the world. It consists of six 
stanzas. 

John Brown's body lies a mouldering in the grave, 
John Brown's body lies a mouldering in the grave, 
John Brown's body lies a mouldering in the grave, 
His soul's marching on! 



264 

Chorus. 
Glory Halle, Hallelujah ! Glory Halle, Hallelujah ! 
Glory Halle, Hallelujah 1 
His soul's marching on! 

He's gone to be a soldier in the army of our Lord, 
He's gone to be a soldier in the army of our Lord, 
He's gone to be a soldier in the army of our Lord. 
His soul's marching on ! 

Chorus. 
Glory Halle, Hallelujah ! Glory Halle, Hallelujah ! 
Glory Halle, Hallelujah! 
His soul's marching on ! 

John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back, 
John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back. 
John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back. 
His soul's marching on ! 

Chorus. 

His pet lambs will meet him on the way, — 
His pet lambs will meet^him on the way, — 
His pet lambs will meet him on the way, — 
They go marching on ! 

Chorus. 



Now, three rousing cheers for the Union I 
Now, three rousing cheers for the Union ! 
Now, three rousing cheers for the Union I 
As we're marching on ! 

Chorus. 

The following remarkable lines respecting John 
Brown were first published in 1859, in the Boston 
Monthly Religious Magazine. 

They call thee hot-brained, crazed, and mad, 

But every word that falls 
Goes straight and true, and hits the mark — 
More sure than cannon-balls ; 

Through specter-forms of bogus law 
It cuts its way complete, 

And judge and jury too are tried 
At God's great judgment-seat. 



265 

Old man, farewell, they'll take thy life ; 

For dangerous enough, 
In these our sweetly piping times, 

Are men of hero stuff. 
"We should tread soft above the fires 

That underneath us lie ; 
You'll crack the crust of compromise, 

And set them spouting high! 

Where Henry's cry for " Liberty " 

Once sent its shivering thrill, 
There's only room six feet by two 

For heroes now to fill. 
And o'er the spot the years will roll, 

As spring its verdure weaves, 
And autumn, o'er the felon's grave 

Shake down its yellow leaves. 

But not the spot six feet by two 

Will hold a man like thee ; — 
John Brown will tramp the shaking earth 

From Blue Ridge to the sea, 
Till the strong angel comes at last, 

And opes each dungeon door, 
And God's Great Charter holds and waves 

O'er all His humble poor. 

And then the humble poor will come, 

In that far distant day, 
And from the felon's nameless grave 

They'll brush the leaves away ; 
And gray old men will point the spot 

Beneath the pine tree shade, 
As children ask, with streaming eyes, 

"Where old John was laid. 



23 



vm 




T/ie Prince at Washington's Tomb. 
VISIT OF THE PRINCE OF WALES. 

In 1860, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, the 
eldest son of Queen Victoria, of Great Britain, heir 
apparent to her throne, visited the United States, 
accompanied by the Duke of Newcastle, the Earl of 
St. Germans, and several military officers in high 
standing. The high regard and universal respect 
which the American people have for the Queen, his 
mother, as a sovereign and as a mother, endears her 
to all classes. This feeling was manifested by the 
respect and attention which they paid to her son, 
the Prince of Wales, as her representative. 

The Prince landed at St. John's, Newfoundland, 
on the 23d of July. From thence he proceeded to 
Quebec, Montreal, and most of the other places in 
Canada, East and West. He was received every- 
where with the greatest demonstrations of respect 
and loyalty. The Prince, after completing his tour 



267 

through the British Provinces, arrived at Detroit 
on the 21st of September, and thence proceeded by 
the way of Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Bal- 
timore, to Washington, where he arrived, Oct. 3d. 
He remained the guest of the President till the 7th. 
In the interval, he visited Mount Vernon. On their 
arrival, the Prince and his party carefully inspected 
the house ; the Prince stood reverently uncovered 
in the room in which Washington died, looked at 
the piano presented to Mrs. Lewis, examined the 
key of the Bastile and other curiosities, and then 
proceeded to the tomb of Washington. 

" The Marine band had arrived before them, and, 
concealed by a neighboring thicket, began playing 
a dirge composed by the leader. The scene was 
most impressive. The party, with uncovered heads, 
ranged themselves in front of the tomb, so simple, 
and yet so grand in its associations, and looked in, 
through the iron grated door, at the sarcophagus, 
which contains the remains of the Father of his 
country. Then retiring a few paces, the Prince, the 
President, and the royal party, grouped in front, si- 
lently contemplated the Tomb of Washington. 

" The occasion will become historical. A sad 
cloud softened the sunlight ; the sweet solemn strains 
of the beautiful dirge, floated around ; bringing un- 
conscious tears to eyes unused to weep. Without 
royal state, royalty contemplated the abode of one, 
though once pronounced a rebel and a traitor, by 
the very ancestors of the Prince, who now ranks 
above all kings, — the Father of his country, second 
to none. 

"Around were the representatives of that aris- 
tocracy, which once proclaimed every republican a 
traitor, now doing homage to the great representa- 
tive republican. Beside the President, were those 
who, in the last battles between England and this 



2t>8 

country, had taken a prominent part ; while he him- 
self had once borne arms against the very country 
whose future ruler, in all probability, was now his 
honored guest. What lessons all must have learned 
from this visit, — what thoughts must have occurred 
to each, — how all must have felt, that above all, and 
over all, God reigns supreme, ordering events, for 
his own wise purposes, and working miracles, not, 
as once, by his instantaneous word, but by the slow- 
er process of time. 

"At the request of the Mount Vernon Associa- 
tion, the Prince planted, with but little formality, a 
young horse-chestnut tree, to commemorate his visit 
to the place. The tree was planted upon a beautiful 
mound, not far from the tomb. This ceremony be- 
ing over, the party again stood for a few moments 
before the tomb, and then, turning away in thought- 
ful silence, slowly and silently retraced their way 
to the Harriet Lane, which, during their absence, 
had been transformed, by means of canvas and gay 
flags, into a beautiful dining saloon, with covers laid 
for the entire party. 

The Prince, having visited Richmond and Philadelphia, reach- 
ed New York, Oct. 11th, and was welcomed by a grand military 
and civic display. On the following evening he attended a 
grand ball given in his honor, by a Committee of 400 prominent 
persons, each of which contributed $100, to defray the expense. 
On the evening of the 13th, a torch-light procession of firemen 
paraded in his honor. On Monday, the ] 5th, he visited the mil- 
itary academy at West Point, thence proceeded to Albany, where 
he was entertained by the Governor of the State. From Alba- 
ny, he went to Boston, where he was welcomed by a procession 
and a ball. He then traveled to Portland, Me., where he arri- 
ved on Oct. 20th. After a brief interview with the city officials, 
he proceeded on board the vessel which was awaiting him, and 
set out on his homeward voyage. As the royal barge left the 
wharf, the British squadron all fired a salute of twenty-one 
guns, and similar salutes were fired from the city and from Fort 
Preble. The harbor was full of steamers, sail-boats, barges, 
&c, which accompanied the royal barge from the wharf." 



2on 




THE ELLEN SAVING- THE PASSENGERS OF THE CEN- 
TRAL AMERICA. 

In September, 1857, the steamer Central America, 
Capt. William L. Hernden, sailed from Aspinwall, 
via Havanna, for New York, having on board 467 
passengers, a crew of 105 men, and about two mill- 
ions of dollars worth of gold. When off the east- 
ern coast of our Southern States, near the Gulf 
Stream, on the 11th of Sept., the steamer encountered 
a violent gale from the north-east, which, with a 
heavy sea, caused the boat to spring a leak. On the 
12th, the storm somewhat abated, signals of distress 
were made. The American brig Marine, being in 
the vicinity, came to their assistance. The women 
and children were, by much exertion, saved by boats : 
the English brig Mary, also came to the assistance 
of the drowning passengers. The steamer went 
down at 8 o'clock in the evening, carrying down 
23* 



270 

with it her brave Captain, and many of the passen- 
gers and crew, whom it was not in his power to save. 

A part of the crew of the steamer were saved by 
a most remarkable circumstance. The Norwegian 
bark Ellen, Capt. A. Johnson, weathered the storm, 
but at the time of the disaster to the steamer, was 
sailing in a contrary direction. A small bird having 
flown against his face, once or twice, was, according 
to an ancient tradition, or superstition of his coun- 
trymen, a token that he was sailing in a wrong di- 
rection, he therefore altered his course. In whatever 
light we may look upon this occurrence, it is true 
that, in all human probability, the lives of quite a 
number of human beings were saved by the turning 
of the course of this vessel. 

The bark Ellen, before she arrived at the place 
where the passengers and crew of the steamer were 
perishing, had stove all her boats in the gale, and 
every individual saved by her, upwards of forty in 
number, it is said, were drawn on board by lines 
thrown them, as she sailed through the drifting mas- 
ses of drowning men. The night was unusually 
dark : but flashes of lightning discovered pieces of 
the wreck floating, with men upon them ; this, with 
the light on board of the vessel, the cries of the 
drowning men, with the superior seamanship of the 
Captain of the bark, was the means of saving so 
larore a number. 



Old ocean rolls in foam, and its maddening 
billows break o'er the steam-driven bark. The 
boiling surge puts out her life-giving fire, and 
she floats an unwieldy wreck over the mighty 
waters. Vain is the mariner's skill, or force, for 
soon the gallant ship sinks into her watery 



271 

grave, and many, in her dying struggle, go with 
her to the depths below. 

The lone survivors on that dreadful night 
float round, on frail supports, in wild dismay. 
They mount upward, and sink in the dark roll- 
ing waters. They cry unto Him who is higher 
than the heights, and deeper than the depths. 
They look to Him who rules the stormy seas, 
and notes the sparrow's fall. The thunder of 
Niagara's cataract, and the gentle murmur of 
the rustling pine, the stormy blast, the gentle 
zephyr, and the bright sunshine, are equal be- 
fore him. 

He hears the cry of the feeble, and is touched 
with the feeling of our infirmities, and knows 
how to deliver, when hope has departed. O 
then let us trust in His power, and hope in His 
mercy. He controls the mighty whirlwind, di- 
rects the flight of the lonely bird, and the tiny 
insect that floats in the sun-beam. He can save 
by a bird, an insect, or by a spider's web, as ea- 
sily as by a legion of angels. 




Russian fleet in New York Harbor. 
VISIT OF THE RUSSIAN FLEET, 1863. 

The visit of the Russian fleet to the United States 
in 1863, with the cordial reception given to its offi- 
cers by all classes of persons in this country, is 
deemed by many to be one of no small political im- 
portance, in strengthening the bonds of amity and 
friendship, which have for a long period subsisted 
between the two most powerful nations of the east- 
ern and western continents. 

The Russian squadron consisted of five vessels. 
The first that reached New York was the screw frig- 
ate, Osliaba, Boutakoff, on Sept. 11th, 1863. On the 
24th and 25th, the steam sloops Vitiaz and Yariag, 
with the screw frigates Alexander Nevski and Peres- 
viet, anchored in the North river. The flag-ship of 
Admiral Lisovski was the Alexander Nevski, a fine 
modern built 51 gun screw frigate, 271 feet long, and 
of about 4,500 tons ; she was named in honor of St. 
Alexander, the saint and hero of Russia, surnamed 



273 

Nevski, from a signal victory won on the banks of 
the Neva. 

On the 19th of Oct. the Russian officers were en- 
tertained by the municipal authorities of New York, 
at a grand banquet given in their honor at the Astor 
House, where covers were laid for over three hund- 
red persons. The white flag, with the blue cross of 
St. v iadimir, hung all day over the vestibule of the 
hotel, and waved from the flag-staff on the roof, and 
and from the City Hall. Most of the foreign Con- 
suls were present, and the American Navy was rep- 
resented by Admirals Farragut and Paulding, and 
Commodore Meade. After the cloth was removed, 
the sentimental part of the proceedings was intro- 
duced by a short speech from Mayor Opdyke. When 
"The Emperor of Russia" was named, among the 
toasts on this occasion, the Russian Ambassador, 
Baron de Stoel, in response, said : — 

" It will be my duty, gentlemen, to report this occasion to my 
august Master, and I can assure you, that it will be fully ap- 
preciated by his Majesty, and by the whole Russian nation, . . . 
and I can assure you, that there is not one of the seventy mill- 
ions of my countrymen who does not join me from the very bot- 
tom of my heart." 

When the "Russian Navy" was named, Admiral 
Lisovski, in his response, said : — 

" Your Navy officers, gentlemen, are your most noble repre- 
sentatives abroad. It has been my fortune once in trying cir- 
cumstances, after the loss of my ship, when we were left desti- 
tute of every article, .... an American man-of-war came 
along to our assistance. I shall never forget the way the Cap- 
tain and his officers treated us. Each American officer took one 
of the officers of corresponding standing in the service, and 
brought him to his cabin, and spoke to him these words : — 4 Now, 
Sir, everything you see in this cabin, the half of ii belongs to 
you;' and I feel most happy in having an opportunity of ex- 
pressing my everlasting gratitude for the kindness we then re- 
ceived, before such a numerous and distinguished assemblage of 
that Captain's countrymen." 



274 

When "Russia" was named as being brought 
close to our affections by the noble act of his Impe- 
rial Majesty, the Czar, in his illustrious and unpre- 
cedented decree, dictating the emancipation of mill- 
ions of serfs, the Rev. Wm. Boole responded, saying : 

" That no act of any crowned head compares in wisdom, in 
political and moral importance, in magnanimity, and in its bene- 
ficial influence upon the destiny of a nation, with the decree of 
his Imperial Majesty Alexander II, declaring the speedy en- 
franchisement of twenty millions of serfs, or bondmen 

Committed to the hearts and hands of such a people, the safety 
of the sovereign, the interests and destiny of the nation are se- 
cured Disturbances may shake thrones, and dismember 

governments ; anarchy and rampant rebellion may, as we wit- 
ness to-day, sack, sink, burn, and sweep like a tempest of 
desolation, over the fair fields of an earthly paradise, and leave 
it stereotyped in all the revolting features of a burning Gehen- 
na ; but there is an eternal force that holds all events in subjec- 
tion to its will, and compels humanity, by whatever phrase, or 
title, or arbitrary distinction known among men, to the harmony 
and center of its gravitation, — and that force is the spirit of hu- 
man liberty. The emancipation decree of the Emperor Alexan- 
der, is the sweep of a nation towards this magnetic center. 

We hail, with unfeigned delight, the presence of 

the many-winged fleet from the Russian seas, and take their 
coming among us as an omen of good. The union in which we 
participate to-day, is a very natural and proper one. ' Birds of 
a feather flock together ; ' the Eagle of the East has come to 
mate with the Eagle of the West ; a permanent incompatibility 
forbids her alliance with the un winged creature of the field, on 
the other side of the ocean, and in the bird of America she finds 
her actual partner. And who shall stand up to show "any just 
cause or impediment why they should not be joined " in one 
nest ? May the Union be speedily consummated, and their brood 
of eagles whiten with their wings the waters of every sea, and 
hold the weapons of protection from the Ural mountains west- 
ward to the rocky range of the Pacific coast." 



275 




Death dance of the Dacotah Indians, 1862. 

THE DACOTAH OR SIOUX INDIANS. 

The Sioux or Dacotah Indians inhabit a large tract 
of land now in the limits of the State of Minnesota. 
They are one of the most warlike tribes within the 
limits of the United States. In a recent treaty, they 
ceded a large tract of these lands to the U. S. Gov- 
ernment, for which they were in the habit of receiv- 
ing annuities. In 1862, it appears that these annui- 
ties, for some cause, were delayed for upwards of 
three months. This was the cause of much ill-feel- 
ing among the Indians, many of whom cherished 
an ill-will against the whites, notwithstanding the 
efforts of the Government, and Christian mission- 
aries, to introduce among them civilization and 
Christianity. 



276 

The outbreak commenced in August, 1862, when 
three white men were shot down, tomahawked and 
scalped by the road-side, by several Indians, who 
were under the influence of spirituous liquor, sold 
them by white traders, who carried on their detesta- 
ble traffic in defiance of the laws of the United 
States. Blood having been shed, it was determined, 
in an Indian council, rather than give up the perpe- 
trators of the murder, they all would unite in an 
effort to drive out white men wholly from their bor- 
ders. Little Crow, a crafty, cunning, and ambitious 
Indian, who had adopted a civilized mode of life, 
and who at first made serious objections against com- 
mencing hostilities, was finally induced to become 
their leader. 

The massacre began at a settlement on the Min- 
nesota river, called the " Lower Indian Agency," be- 
ing a collection of Agency buildings, a small framed 
church, traders' houses, stores, &c. The Indians, 
having distributed themselves over the village, at a 
concerted signal, on the dawn of the morning, a 
thousand savage war-whoops rent the air. Many 
were hewn down by the tomahawk before they had 
scarcely left their beds ; others were shot while leap- 
ing from the windows, or endeavoring to escape. 
Horrid atrocities were committed ; the stores and 
houses, &c, after being rifled of their contents, were 
set on fire, and the bodies of the dead, dying and 
wounded, were consumed in the flames. Those that 
escaped, gave the alarm. The Indians followed 
through a line of settlements over a frontier of 
hundreds of miles. They overtook several parties, 
killed all the men and children, and led away the 
young women and girls, for fates worse than death. 

As soon as the tidings reached Fort Ridgely, Capt. 
Marsh, with about 60 men, was sent towards the 
scene of the massacre. The Captain, with about 40 



277 

of his men, were shot down in crossing the river on 
a raft. The others fled back to the fort, where about 
five hundred refugees, consisting of women and 
children, and men unarmed, had collected. About 
forty soldiers, with arms, with one twenty-five and 
another six pound howitzer, were their only defence. 
For five days, this little band successfully repelled 
the enemy, who made strong efforts to set the main 
buildings of the fort on fire, by shooting blazing ar- 
rows into the roof. At one time it would seem that 
they would have been destroyed, had not Providence 
interposed in their behalf, by a powerful storm of 
rain, which drove the Indians, for a short time, to 
seek a shelter in the woods, giving time for the gar- 
rison to renew their defences. 

At this time, other parties of Indians were rava- 
ging the settlements, and burning and slaughtering 
the inhabitants, without mercy. In addition to their 
own peculiar atrocities, these Indians added those of 
the most depraved wretches among the whites, crimes 
which heretofore do not seem to have been perpe- 
trated by these savages. The fate of the younger 
women, the indignities and cruelties to which they 
were reserved, are too shocking to be recorded On 
the 23d day of August, the Indians left FortRidgely, 
and transferred their main attack to New Ulm, which 
they laid waste in fire and blood, and would have 
totally destroyed, had not Judge Flandrau arrived 
from St. Peter with a reinforcement. At the " Nor- 
wegian Grove," the inhabitants were all massacred, 
and the whole country, from Fort Ridgely almost to 
St. Paul, was completely panic stricken. " Over a 
frontier of five hundred miles, from Fort Abercrom- 
bie on the Red River, to Mankato on the Blue Earth, 
the Indians carried the torch and hatchet," and it is 
estimated that one thousand men, women and chil- 
dren, were murdered or tortured to death. 



278 

Gov. Ramsey, as soon as he heard of the massa- 
cre at the Lower Agency, hastened from St. Paul to 
Fort Snelling, and ordered a force under Col. Sibley 
to proceed against the Indians. After making some 
opposition, they fled in several directions. A con- 
siderable number, however, were captured and im- 
prisoned. The prisoners were confined in a jail, built 
for the purpose, at the Lower Agency, or Mankato. 
The military Commission appointed to try the pris- 
oners, (400 in number,) held its meetings in a small 
log-house, which had escaped the Indian torch. The 
Commission condemned 303 of the Indians to be 
hung, and 18 to be imprisoned for life. Of the num- 
ber condemned, President Lincoln signed the death- 
warrant for thirty-eight only, and the day appointed 
was Friday the 27tbTof Dec, 1862. 

On Monday, previous to their execution, Col. Mil- 
ler read to the culprits the death-warrant of the 
President. The occasion was one of much solem- 
nity to the persons present, though but little emo- 
tion was manifested by the Indians. 

On Wednesday evening, the Indians performed a War Dance, 
or a Dance of Death, with as much freedom as their chains Avould 
permit, .chaunting, at the same time, a Dakota song. Their wild 
faces barred with paint, their savage and uncouth costumes, and 
their wild and grotesque postures, exhibited a most singular and 
impressive scene. 

On Friday morning, an immense crowd of men, women, and 
children, were assembled at the place of execution, not far from 
the jail in which they were confined. The scaffold, in the form 
of a diamond, was encircled by soldiers, through a double file of 
whom the condemned prisoners were conducted. Their hands 
were tied, and their heads were covered with muslin caps, hav- 
ing on, otherwise, their native dress. Upon reaching the scaf- 
fold, the Indians began singing their mournful death-song, clasp- 
ing each other's hands till the last. "When all was ready, Maj. 
Brown, signal officer, beat three distinct raps on the drum ; at 
the the third stroke, W. J. Duly cut the rope, the drop fell, and 
the souls of the murderers were ushered into the presence of 
the Great Spirit!" 



279 




The N. Y. Police attacking the mob before the Tribune office 



ANTI-DRAFT AND PRO-SLAVERY RIOT IN NEW YORK. 

Monday, July 13th, 1863, and two or three days 
following, occurred one of the most alarming riots, 
and the most destructive to property and life, which 
has ever taken place in this country. It had its ori- 
gin from depraved politicians, of whom there are too 
many in all political parties. These men, in order 
to accomplish their own purposes, take advantage of 
the ignorance of many foreigners, who have emigrated 
to this country, and have become voters. In too many 
instances, these men succeeded in inflaming the minds 
of many against the government, denouncing their 
acts as tyrannical and oppressive, denouncing the 
war, the draft, and the emancipation Proclamation 
of the President. These base politicians also appear 
to have succeeded in getting the less informed part 



280 

of the Irish population to oppose the abolition of 
Slavery, and join in their acts of cruel oppression 
against a comparatively helpless and unfortunate 
race. 

About 9 o'clock, on Monday, A. M., some fifty or 
sixty Irish laborers, having been inflamed by design- 
ing leaders, who furnished them with liquor, formed 
in procession in the twenty-second ward, and visited 
the different work-shops in the upper wards, and 
compelled the workmen, by threats, to cease their 
work. As they proceeded, their numbers were rap- 
idly augmented from the wharves, workshops, and 
other places ; their numbers became formidable, and 
their shouts and disorderly conduct excited dismay. 
Having arrived at the Provost-Marshal's office, where 
the draft was proceeding, at a given signal, (the fir- 
ing of a pistol,) instantly a shower of brick-bats, 
stones, and missiles of every kind, was hurled at the 
building. The office was entered, all the papers, &c, 
were thrown into the street, and the officers of the 
draft had to flee to save their lives. 

Cars were stopped, telegraph poles were cut down, 
a detachment of the Provost Guard, forty or fifty in 
number, were routed by the mob, the firemen were 
prevented from using their engines, the Superintend- 
ent of the Police was dragged from his carriage, and 
treated in the most brutal manner. Infuriated 
women of the lower class now joined in the affray, 
and at once arson, robbery and murder, were let 
loose upon an unprotected city. The rioters tore up 
the New Haven Railroad for several blocks, attacked 
and burnt the Armory building, sacked and laid in 
ashes several mansions and other buildings. About 
4 o'clock, the Orphan Asylum for colored children, 
a large four-story building containing, usually, from 
600 to 800 homeless children, was attacked by hund- 
reds, perhaps thousands, of rioters, the majority of 



281 



whom were women and children, who entered the 
building, ransacked and plundered it, from the cellar 
to the garret. It was finally burnt to ashes, not- 
withstanding every effort and appeal was made, by 
the Principal of the Institution, to stay the progress 
of the flames. 

On Monday evening, the mob attacked the ln- 
bune building. An entrance was effected on the 
first floor, and the work of destruction was begun, 
when a body of Police, with their clubs, made a 
brave and energetic attack upon the rioters, said to 
have been several thousand in number. They drove 
them from the building, and in ten minutes cleared 
the square of the great crowd there assembled. The 
value of property destroyed during the day was es- 
timated at $300,000. On Tuesday morning, the mob 
commenced their operations in the 7th and 13th 
wards. As they passed down Pitt street, about 
2,000 strong, they were opposed by Lieut. Wood, 
with 150 regulars, who fired upon them, killing 
twelve, wounding a large number, and put the rest 

Cof O'Brien, who had exerted himself to quell 
the rioters, had his residence, in the 2d Avenue, 
sacked, and while endeavoring to remove his family 
to a safe place, was murdered, in a shocking manner. 
They burnt the houses of several prominent < men. 
Gov Seymour having arrived in the city, he m the 
afternoon, bj proclamation, declared the city in a 
state of insurrection. In the course of the day, 
about 400 to 500 rioters broke in the Union Steam 
Works where a large number of carbines had been 
deposited, and they attempted to hold the factory 
as a fortification against the police. They were fired 
upon, and a bayonet charge drove them from the 

P On Wednesday, there were several conflicts be- 

24* 



282 

tween the military and rioters, in various places. In 
the evening, a terrible encounter took place in 19th 
street. The soldiers were assailed on all sides by 
stones and brick-bats, and shots from revolvers, from 
the windows and tops of the houses. While this 
was going on, other bodies of rioters roamed the 
streets, robbing and plundering. On Thursday, the 
Seventh N. Y. Regiment arrived from Annapolis, 
Md., and order was soon after restored. It is esti- 
mated that nearly 500 lives were lost during the riot, 
besides a great number wounded. 

Throughout these tearful days, the mob was actu- 
ated by a ferocious spirit against the colored popu- 
lation. Several black men were hung by the infuri- 
ated mob. Wherever a negro was seen, he was set 
upon, and only saved his life by flight. Those that 
were able, fled from the city. The colored Orphan 
Asylum, a purely benevolent Institution, was sacked 
and destroyed ; foul-looking boys and men scoured 
up and down in pursuit of the hated race ; their hab- 
itations were sacked, and no mercy was shown to 
age or sex. Whatever other objects the instigators 
of the mob had in view, that vile one of crushing 
down an unfortunate, and comparatively inoffensive 
people, was most signally disappointed. The au- 
thorities of the city came forward and sustained the 
cause of the poor and needy, their injuries were re- 
dressed, their rights protected, and the merchants 
and others contributed $40,000 for their relief. The 
patient manner in which the colored people have en- 
dured the indignities and sufferings laid ivpon them, 
their loyalty to the national government, and their 
bravery when in arms, have all tended to remove 
the prejudices against their race, and it is believed 
that the time is close at hand, when they will enjoy 
the civil rights of the citizens of a free country. 



283 




Inauguration of Gov. llahn, in New Orleans, March 4M, 1861. 
LOUISIANA FREE STATE INAUGURATION. 

The Inauguration of Michael Hahn, the first Free 
State Governor of Louisiana, on the 4th of March, 
1864, was one of the greatest and most impressive 
scenes ever exhibited in this country. The place se- 
lected for that purpose was Lafayette Square, oppo- 
site the City Hall. The day of the inauguration 
ceremonies was ushered in by a salute of 100 guns, 
and the ringing of the bells of the city. At an early 
hour, the streets leading to the square were thronged 
with all classes of people, and by 10 o'clock, all "the 
available space for spectators and performers, was 
filled with a greater crowd than ever before appeared 
in the city. 

In the middle of the square was a circular plat- 
form, which served as a base for a tall flag-staff, 



284 

bearing the national standard. From this point, as 
a center, swej)t a circular amphitheater of seats, 
which, in height, accommodations, and magnitude, 
was never exceeded on this continent. On these 
seats were comfortably seated, from six to ten thou- 
sand boys and girls from the public schools, together 
with ample room for five thousand invited guests. 
At the base of this immense amphitheater was a 
platform for Gilmore's 500 musicians, and 40 anvils, 
with their "beaters." From a ring suspended around 
the flag-staff at the central platform, were stretched, 
in a circular form, ropes entirely covered with ever- 
greens, which were fastened, at the other extremity, 
to the surrounding trees. To these ropes were sus- 
pended numerous flags, of all descriptions, from the 
shipping. Behind all this were stationed, by Gen. 
Arnold, fifty pieces of artillery. 

At 11 o'clock, when all the school-children and 
ladies had taken possession of their allotted seats, 
two regiments, the 1st Regulars, and the 30th Mas- 
sachusetts veterans, entered the square. Next, the 
procession of civil and military officers, with the 
Governor elect, entered, and took their assigned posi- 
tion. After prayers by the Rev. Mr. Chubbuck, "Hail 
Columbia " was performed in the following manner : 
First verse, full band, 500 performers ; second verse, 
full band, grand chorus by upwards of 5,000 chil- 
dren, and a chime of all the bells of the city ; fourth 
verse, full band, grand chorus, the chiming of the 
bells, and a great gun accompaniment of 50 pieces 
of artillery discharged at the same moment ! 

FIRST VERSE. 

Hail Columbia! happy land, 
Hail ye heroes, heaven born band, 
Who fought and bled in freedom's cause, 
Who fought and bled in freedom's cause, 
And when the storm of war was gone, 
Enjoy'd the peace your valor won. 



. 285 

Let independence be your boast ; 

Ever mindful what it cost ; 

Ever grateful for the prize, 

Let its altar reach the skies. 

Chorus — Firm, united, let us be, 

Rallying round our liberty ; 
As a band of brothers joined, 
Peace or safety we shall find. 

Immortal patriots, rise once more ; 
Defend your rights, defend your shore ; 
Let no rude foe with impious hand, 
Let no rude foe, with impious hand, 
Invade the shrine where sacred lies, 
Of toil and blood the well-earn'd prize. 
While offering peace sincere and just, 
In heaven we place a manly trust 
That truth and justice will prevail, 
And every scheme of bondage fail. 
Chorus — Firm, united, &c. 

Sound, sound, the trump of fame ! 
Let Washington's great name 
Eing through the world with loud applause, 
Ring through the world with loud applause, 
Let every clime to freedom dear, 
Listen with a joyful ear. 
With equal skill, and godlike power, 
He govern'd in the fearful hour 
Of horrid war ; or guides, with ease, 
The happier times of honest peace. 
Chorus — Firm, united, &c. 

After the enthusiasm and repeated shouts from 
the immense multitude at this novel, sublime, and 
overpowering effort had somewhat subsided, the 
Governor elect stepped forward amid profound si- 
lence, and took the oath of office, administered by- 
Judge Durrell, under circumstances of extraordinary 
interest, not only as the first loyal Governor of a State 
once identified with the Confederacy, but also the 
first Free State Governor of the South Western 



286 

States. After the other State officers were sworn, 
the " Star- Spangled Banner " was sung : 

Oh ! say can you see by the dawn's early light, &c. 

This national air was perhaps never performed in 
a more splendid manner : First time, full band ; sec- 
ond time, full band, grand chorus ; third time, full 
band, grand chorus, and a chime of all the bells of 
the city ; fourth time, full band, grand chorus, chime 
of the bells of the city, and a great gun accompani- 
ment by 50 pieces of artillery. 

The Chairman, Judge Howell, then introduced 
Gov. Hahn, who made his Inaugural Address to his 
vast audience. He denounced the institution of 
Slavery as a great moral, social, and political evil, 
inconsistent with a free government, and regarded 
its immediate extinction as a public and private bles- 
sing. He declared, also, that it was the duty of all 
to endeavor to extend the blessings of education to 
the black, as well as to the white race. After the 
address of the Governor, the " Anvil Chorus " was 
performed by the full band, accompanied by 40 time- 
beaters upon anvils, and 50 pieces of artillery. The 
novelty of this new musical treat took the audience 
by surprise, and the repeated shouts which burst 
from the immense assembly, testified to its complete 
success. A beautiful wreath of evergreens and flow- 
ers was now presented to the Governor by the girls 
of the Barrack street school, as representatives of 
the Goddess of Liberty. 

Maj. Gen. Banks, after being introduced to the 
audience, made a thrilling and patriotic address, in 
which he stated, that among the truest spirits in the 
hour of trial, were the sons and daughters of Louis- 
iana, and among the bravest and truest upon the 
field of battle were her volunteers. Louisiana was 
the first in this great revolution of ideas to organize 



28' 



her public schools upon a war-footing, infusing into 
the hearts of its pupils a new sentiment of nation- 
ality, by the daily repetition, with the morning 
prayers, of the magnificent anthems of American 
liberty. Louisiana was the first to institute the sys- 
tem of conpensated labor, that makes the restoration 
of the institution of Slavery on this continent impos- 
sible ; that compels us to prepare for the elevation 
of the oppressed races, and the recognition of all 
their rights. After the General had retired, the 
band struck up the well-known air, with the accom- 
paniments, — 

" Our flag is there, our flag is there, 
We'll hail it, &c. 

A prayer was then offered by the Rev. Mr. Hor- 
ton ; this was succeeded by a grand musical melange 
of the national and popular airs, including " Red, 
White and Blue," " Marseilles Hymn," with a "Pot 
Pouri," representing the chaos of a battle, in which 
all the military, with their drums and trumpets, and 
all the Artillery, took part. After the effect of this 
terrifically grand scene had subsided, the Rev. Mr. 
Chubbuck invoked the benediction of the Almighty 
upon the officers just elected, and the people. The 
formal ceremonies, — the grandest perhaps ever at- 
tempted on this continent, — were concluded by the 
performance of the American Anthem, in the same 
manner as the preceding pieces, in which the entire 
audience were invited to join : — 

" My country 'tis of thee, Sec. 



288 




American Anti-Slavery Documents. 

On June 7th, 1776, a motion was made in the 
American Congress, then assembled in Philadelphia, 
by Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, and seconded 
by John Adams, of Massachusetts, for declaring the 
colonies free and independent. A committee, con- 
sisting of Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Sherman, and 
Livingston, were appointed to prepare a Declaration 
of Independence. The Declaration, written by Mr. 
Jefferson, was adopted by Congress by an almost 
unanimous vote, on the 4th of July, 1776, by which 
the thirteen United States of America were declared 
free and independent. 

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary 
for one people to dissolve the political bands which have con- 
nected them with another, and to assume, among the powers of 
the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of na- 
ture and of nature's (lod entitle them, a decent respect to the 



289 

opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the caus- 
es which impel them to the separation. 

"We hold these truths to be self-evident : that all men are cre- 
ated equal ; that they are endowed, by their Creator, with cer- 
tain inalienable rights ; that among these are life, liberty, and 
the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, govern- 
ments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from 
the consent of the governed ; that whenever any form of gov- 
ernment becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the 
people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new govern- 
ment, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its 
powers in such form as to them shall seem most likely to effect 
their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate, that 
governments long established should not be changed for light 
and transient causes; and, accordingly, all experience hath 
shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer while evils are 
sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to 
which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses 
and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a 
design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, 
it is their duty to throw off such government, and to provide 
new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient 
sufferance of these colonies ; and such is now the necessity which 
constrains them to alter their former systems of government. 
The history of the present king of Great Britain is a history of 
repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the 
establishment of an absolute tyranny over these States. To 
prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world 

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for 
redress in the most humble terms : our repeated petitions have 
been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose char- 
acter is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is 
unfit to be the ruler of a free people. 

Nor have we been wanting in attentions to our British breth- 
ren. We have warned them, from time to time, of attempts by 
their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. 
We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration 
and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice 
and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our 
common kindred, to disavow these usurpations, which would in- 
evitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They 
too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. 
We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity which denounces 
our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind — 
'enemies in war. in peace, friends. 



290 

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of 
America, in general Congress assembled, appealing to the Su- 
preme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, 
do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of these 
colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colo- 
nies are, and of right ought to be, Free and Independent 
States ; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British 
crown, and that all political connection between them and the 
state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved ; and 
that, as Free and Independent States, they have full power to 
levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, 
and to do all other acts and things which Independent States 
may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with 
a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutu- 
ally pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred 
honor. 

President Lincoln, by a Proclamation dated Sept. 
22, 1862, gave notice, that all persons held as slaves 
in those States which continued in rebellion against 
the United States on the 1st of Jan. 1863, "shall be 
then, thenceforward and forever free." This Procla- 
mation having failed of producing its desired effect, 
the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, in which 
are the following words : — 

"Now, Therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the Uni- 
ted States, by virtue of the power in me vested as commander- 
in-chief of the army and navy of the United States, in time of 
actual armed rebellion against the authority and government of 
the United States, and as a fit and necessary war measure for 
suppressing said rebellion, do, on this first day of January, in 
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty -three, 
and in accordance with my purpose so to do, publicly proclaimed 
for the full period of one hundred days from the day of the first 
above-mentioned order, and designate as the States and parts of 
States wherein the people thereof respectively are this day in 
rebellion against the United States, the following, to wit : Ar- 
kansas, Texas, Louisiana — except the parishes of St. Bernard, 
Placquemines, Jefferson, St. John, St. Charles, St. James, Ascen- 
sion, Assumption, Terre Bonne, Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, 
and Orleans, including the city of New Orleans — Mississippi, 
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and 
Virginia — except the forty-eight counties designated as West 



291 

Virginia, and also the counties of Berkeley, Accomac, North- 
ampton, Elizabeth City, York, Princess Anne, and Norfolk, in- 
cluding the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, and which ex- 
cepted parts are, for the present, left precisely as if this procla- 
mation was not issued. 

" And by virtue of the power and for the purposes aforesaid, 
I do order and declare, that all persons held as slaves within said 
designated States and parts of States, are and henceforward shall 
be free ; and that the Executive Government of the United 
States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will 
recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons. 

" And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free, 
to abstain from all violence, unless in necessary self-defence ; 
and I recommend to them, that in all cases when allowed, they 
labor faithfully for reasonable wages. 

" And I further declare and make known, that such persons, 
of suitable condition, will be received into the armed service of 
the United States, to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other 
places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service. 

"And upon this, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, 
warranted by the Constitution, upon military necessity, I invoke 
the considerate judgment of mankind and the gracious favor of 
Almighty God. 

" In witness whereof,. I have hereunto set my hand and caused 
the seal of the United States to be affixed. 

"Done at the City of "Washington, this first day of January, 
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty- 
three, and of the independence of the United States of America 
the eighty-seventh. 

By the President: " Abraham Lincoln. 

"William H. Seward, Sec'ry of State." 



29^ 




Washington as President, with t7ie Emblems of the durability of right 
Principles, Union and Liberty. 



WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS. 

Washington's "Farewell Address" to the people 
of the United States, is one of the most precious 
legacies which he has left to his countrymen. The 
following extracts are from that document, showing 
his views respecting several important subjects which 
agitate the public mind. 

The immense value op the Union. 

" The unity of government, which constitutes you 
one people, is also dear to you. It is justly so; for 
it is the main pillar in the edifice of your real inde- 
pendence; the support of your tranquility at home, 
your peace abroad ; of your safety ; of your prosper- 
ity ; of that very liberty which you so highly prize. 



293 

.... As this is the point in your political for- 
tress against which the batteries of internal and ex- 
ternal enemies will be most constantly and actively 
(though often covertly and insidiously) directed; it 
is of infinite moment, that you should properly es- 
timate the immense value of your National Union, 
to your collective and individual happiness; that 
you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immov- 
able attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to 
think and speak of it, as the palladium of your po- 
litical safety and prosperity; watching for its pres- 
ervation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing 
whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can 
in any event be abandoned ; and indignantly frown- 
ing upon the first dawning of every attempt to alien- 
ate any portion of our country from the rest, or to 
enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the 
various parts." 

Union a preventative op Wars and Despotism. 

" All the parties combined cannot fail to find in 
the united mass of means and efforts, greater re- 
sources, proportionally greater security from exter- 
nal danger, .... and what is of inestimable value, 
an exemption from those broils and wars between 
themselves, which so frequently afflict neighboring 
countries not tied together by the same government. 
Hence, likewise, they will avoid the neces- 
sity of those overgrown military establishments, 
which, under any form of government, are inauspi- 
cious to liberty; and which are to be regarded as 
particularly hostile to republican liberty. In this 
sense it is, that your Union ought to be considered as 
a main prop to your liberty." 

Beware of Geographical parties. 

" In contemplating the causes which may disturb 



294 

our union, it occurs as a matter of serious concern, 
that any ground should have been furnished for 
characterizing parties by geographical discrimina- 
tions, — Northern and Southern, Atlantic and West- 
ern ; whence designing men may endeavor to excite 
a belief, that there is a real difference of local inter- 
est and views. One of the expedients of party to 
acquire influence, within particular districts, is to 
misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts. 
You cannot shield yourselves too much against the 
jealousies and heart-burnings which spring from 
these misrepresentations. They tend to render alien 
to each other, those who ought to be bound together 
by fraternal affection." 

A National Government indispensable. 

" To the efficacy and permanency of your Union, 
a government for the whole is indispensable. No 
alliances, however strict, between the parts, can be 
an adequate substitute. They must inevitably expe- 
rience infractions and interruptions, which all alli- 
ances in all times have experienced The ba- 
sis of our political systems is, the right of the people 
to make and alter their constitutions of government. 
But the constitution which at any time exists, till 
changed by an explicit and authentic act of the 

whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all 

All obstructions to the execution of the laws .... 
serve to organize faction, .... to put in the place 
of the delegated will of the nation, the will of a 
party, often a small, but artful and enterprizing mi- 
nority of the people. 

Importance of Religion and Morality. 

" Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to 
political prosperity, religion and morality are indis- 
pensable supports. In vain would that man claim 



% 95 

the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to sub- 
vert these great pillars of human happiness. The 
mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought 
to respect and cherish them. A volume could not 
trace all their connections with private and public 

felicity 'Tis substantially true, that virtue 

or morality is a necessary spring of popular govern- 
ment." 

Education. — Public Credit. 

" Promote, then, as an object of primary import- 
ance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowl- 
edge. In proportion as the structure of a govern- 
ment gives force to public opinion, it is essential 
that public opinion should be enlightened. 

" As a very important source of strength and se- 
curity, cherish public credit. One method of pre- 
serving it is, to use it as sparingly as possible ; avoid- 
ing occasions of expense by cultivating peace ; but 
remembering also, that timely disbursements to pre- 
pare for danger, frequently prevent much greater 
disbursements to repel it ; avoiding, likewise, the 
accumulations of debt, not only by shunning occa- 
sions of expense, but by vigorous exertions in time 
of peace, to discharge the debts which unavoidable 
wars may have occasioned ; not ungenerously throw- 
ing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves 
ought to bear." 

General Directions. 

" Observe good faith and justice towards all na- 
tions ; cultivate peace and harmony with all. Reli- 
gion and morality enjoin this conduct, and can it be 
that good policy does not equally enjoin it ? It will 
be worthy of a free, enlightened, and at no distant 
period a great nation, to give mankind the magnan- 



206 

imous and too novel example of a people always 
guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. . . . 
In the execution of such a plan, nothing is more es- 
sential, than that permanent inveterate antipathies 
against particular nations, and passionate attach- 
ments, should be excluded; and that in place of 
them, just and amicable feelings towards all should 
be excluded Harmony, and a liberal inter- 
course with all nations, are recommended by policy, 
humanity and interest." 

" In offering to you, my countrymen, these coun- 
sels of an old and affectionate friend, I dare not hope 
they will make the strong and lasting impression I 

could wish But if I may even flatter myself 

that they may be productive of some partial benefit, 
some occasional good ; that they may now and then 
recur to moderate the fury of party spirit, to warn 
against the mischiefs of foreign intrigues, and guard 
against the impostures of pretended patriotism; 
this hope will be a full recompense for the solicitude 
for your welfare, by which they have been dictated. 
.... Though in reviewing the incidents of my 
administration, I am unconscious of intentional er- 
ror; I am, nevertheless, too sensible of my defects, 
not to think it probable, that I may have committed 
many errors. Whatever they may be, I fervently 
beseech the Almighty to avert, or mitigate the evils 

to which they may tend 

G. Washington." 



297 
THE AMERICAN FARMER 

THROUGH THE SEASONS OF THE TEAR, IN THE MORE NORTHERN 
STATES. 




JANUARY. 

January, first coming month, with brow severe, 
Appears with snow and ice, to lead the infant year; 
The merry, jingling sleigh-ride take, old friends to meet; 
"With "Happy New Year" wish, all now each other greet. 



" Cold cometh out of the north," the earth is stiff with ice, 
and the watery floods become a pavement strong. By-and-by 
the air becomes less keen, and falling snow-flakes shut out the 
vision round. The soft, silent shower descends, casting a snowy 
mantle o'er hill and dale. 

The gentle rain descends, and is congealed to ice. The morn, 
ing sun shines forth, and fairy scenes appear. All, all is silvered 
o'er. The tall tree, that lifts its head on high, and the humble 
sapling, appear in coated splendor bright, in the bewildering, glis- 
tening, wilderness around. The shrubs, and smaller trees, with 
their silvery load, bend to the earth, while the monarch oak, re- 
fusing to yield, its crackling branches fall to the ground. 

The true farmer " is merciful to his beast." From his laid- 
up stores, he daily deals out to each their portion. "While the 
wintery north wind blows, and icy, chilling storms prevail, he 
gives a shelter to all his subjects round. 



ooq 




FEBRUARY. 



Tour work plan out, and be prepared, for Spring draws nigh ; 
Now cut and sled, and pile your wood, to keep it dry : 
Now o'er the frozen flood, the youth, with lengthened strides, 
The gleeful skater, o'er the icy pavement glides. 



The farmer with hope looks forward to the approaching spring, 
and plans out his labors for the coming year. "With repeated 
blows with ax in hand, he lays the monarch of the forest low. 
Far to the west, since creation's dawn where solitude has 
reigned unbroken, and untraversed, save by savage beasts, or 
man more savage still, the woodman's ax lets in the light of day, 
and smiling fields and villages arise. 

The forest falls; huge trunks lie scattered round, furnishing 
the fuel for the year, or wrought by skillful hands, forms the 
stately structure, dwellings for high and low, and shelter from 
summer's heat, and winter's cold. Navies are furnished, too, 
and the tall ship that floats to distant seas and climes, must 
come from thee. 

Full of youthful life and glee, the lad and his companions 
haste to the frozen lakes and ponds, and whirl their circuits 
round on their swift-gliding skates, while all around is mirth 
and joy. The sun mounts upward ; winter, stern, relents, — its 
heart is broken, for the sun-beam melts to tears earth's snowy 
mantle, and here and there a spot of living green appears. 



20.1 




MARCH. 

Now snow, then mud, now high winds blow. Feed well your sheep; 
Care for your lambs ; your cattle give enough to eat ; 
With a kind heart now look around, and all that need, 
Assistance freely give, and all the hungry feed. 



Spring commences : — the earth, fast bound by wintery frosts, 
softens beneath the genial rays of the noon-tide sun. — High 
winds prevail, drying the moist earth, and scattering the rising 
vapors. Sweet is the voice of the early bird, who visits our 
Northern World once more. The wintery blast had driven him 
away to genial regions, far down the sunny south. The great 
Creator taught him when to take his distant journey, and when 
to bend his flight, to reach his northern home at the appointed 
time. 

The farmer now prepares his fences, to guard his fields from 
harm; and sees that his utensils are ready for his summer's toils. 
His vines and trees are pruned, and the swelling buds appear. 
He looks well to the state of his flocks and herds, and deals 
out daily, to each class its proper food. 

The farmer is monarch on the soil on which he labors. He 
provides for all entrusted to his care, and when the fields afford 
no sustenance, he opens his laid up stores and all are fed. So 
the Great Monarch and Father of us all, teaches us, His needy 
creatures, to call on Him, daily, for what we need. He gives 
the rain and sunshine, he causes the herb to grow ; the eyes of 
all wait upon Him, and He gives them their meat in due season. 



:;0ii 



APRIL. 

Your furrows long, your fences strong ; your trees plant well, 
Fruit you will have, enough to eat, and some to sell : 
Keep up your fields, manure them well ; put clover in, 
Plough deep, and do it well, a full good crop to win. 



The showery month has come, and the frozen earth has yield- 
ed to the sunshine of the early Spring. O'er hill and dale, new 
life is springing up in living green. The tender lamb skips by 
its mother's side or gambols in the sunny fields. Birds of vari- 
ous hues, returning from sunny climes, warble their notes of 
joy; the buds are swelling, and the leaves are bursting forth 
from every shrub and tree. 

The breath of Spring has wakened the insect tribes from their 
long wintery sleep, and when the evening shades appear, myri- 
ads of peeping voices rise from the low earth, and watery places 
round, lulling the dwellers near, to sweet repose. 

The farmer now, with hopeful heart, prepares the ground to 
receive the sower's seed, confiding in the promise of Him who 
is Lord of all, that while the earth remaineth, seed-time and 
harvest shall not fail. The prudent husbandman provides, as 
far as he can, against future danger. To guard his fields from 
unruly beasts, he makes his fences strong and high. 'Tis God 
alone that gives the rain and sunshine, but man must guard 
whate'er the Great Creator gives to his charge. 



301 




MAY. 

Fair May hath come ; shake drowsy sloth from off your eyes ; 
To sow and plant your fields, you now must early rise ; 
Now plant potatoes, and, in rows, bright yellow Indian corn : 
Scare off the scratching crow, that would your fields deform. 



This is an important month, for, by the labors of the farmer 
all are sustained. There is a time to sow and plant, which, if 
neglected, there can be no harvest; though the early and the 
latter rains descend, and the summer sun may glow. The far- 
mer plows his fields with the patient and laborious ox, or the 
more sprightly horse. He harrows his fields, he sows his grain 
and plants his potatoes and his corn, so that all who look up to 
him may in the coming time be fed. 

The garden, near the dwelling, receives the close attention of 
all its inmates. The farmer, his wife, his daughters and his 
sons, all look with interest on this cherished spot, which is laid 
out with care. Its little walks are fringed with beauteous 
shrubs, and plants, and flowers. The choicest fruit-trees here 
appear, and are gay with early blossoms, and the creeping vines 
below will soon bestow their valued fruit. 

The fields are now covered with a carpet of the freshest 
green. The orchards are covered with showers of blossoms, 
and one general blush of beauty glows around. The young 
gosling, covered with yellow down, and the duckling, seek the 
pond or stream, while the patient hen sits on her nest the ap- 
pointed time, till from the broken shell her brood issue forth, 
and cluster beneath her covering wings. 
26 



302 




JUNE. 

Tis blooming June, earth smiles around. Now hoe your corn, 
Now shear your sheep. Let not weeds your fields deform ; 
Now range the fields and gardens round, mid lovely bowers, 
How, Eden-like, the garden blooms with beauteous flowers. 



This is the gay month of beauteous flowers. All o'er the fields 
and woods, on mountain-tops, and in valleys deep, creation smiles 
around. On to the West, on prairies, wide as the eye can reach, 
where not one tree or shrub are seen, stands a vast sea of grass 
and flowers. 

The trees are in full foliage. The flowery shrubs and plants, 
standing in thick array on garden plots, in secluded nooks and 
fields, and forests wild, now bloom in beauty, sending delicious 
fragrance round. The waving grain is fast ripening, and bows 
down its head, with milky kernels full. 

The corn springs upward; its green stalks in long ranks ap- 
pear, and needs the farmer's hand to hoe out the noxious weeds. 
The busy bee is early on the wing, extracting sweets from flow- 
ers ; with wondrous skill, they treasure up their honeyed stores 
for future use. The browsing herd, now in rich pastures, feed 
to the full, and repay their owner by copious streams of whole- 
some milk. The flocks are gathered, and meekly endure the 
shearing of their snowy fleece, which goes to clothe the monarch 
man. 



308 




JULY. 

In hot July, the sun pours down his melting ray. 
The farmer strong, mows down the grass and makes his hay: 
With sickle, or with some machine, he reaps his grain; 
Binds up in bundles, and in shocks, secures from rain. 



This is, usually, the warmest month in the year, and, for the 
farmer, the busiest and most laborious. He now truly earns his 
bread by the sweat of his brow. The fields of grass are now 
mown down, and the hot rays of the sun soon make the fra- 
grant hay; it is stored away in barns, or piled in stacks for win 
ter's use. The fervid sun has ripened into a yellow hue the 
grain. Harvest begins. The wide fields are now swept o'er by 
cradles, or by wide machines ; the crops are gathered and the 
barns are full. 

'Tis noon ; the sun o'erhead, pours down direct his melting, 
conquering rays. O'er-powered with heat, both man and beast 
seek shelter from the burning sun, under the shade of some 
wide-spreading tree. 

— Dark heavy clouds rise in the western sky. As they ad- 
vance, they grow more dark and threatening. The thunder at a 
distance growls. Nearer, the storm approaches, the fearful, 
blinding flash gleams all around, and the quick following thun- 
der bursts in one tumultuous, crashing roar. Down pours the 
rain, and the roaring wind goes sweeping by. — The storm is 
past: the sun shines forth, and the glorious rainbow in the 
east appears. 



:04 




AUGUST. 

Your later grains secure ; summer will soon be past ; 
The luscious fruits are coming on, and ripening fast ; 
Cut down all standing, ripening weeds ; prepare manure 
To dress your wasted fields, and crops to come, secure. 



The intense heat of summer has somewhat abated, but the 
air, during "dog-days," is often close, muggy, and oppressive. 
Some of the later grains are now harvested. The thick growing 
oats, the favorite food for the noble horse, have now come to 
maturity. Flax, from which the beautiful white linen is made, 
is pulled up by the roots, and its seed contains the oil so much 
used by the painter, in the colors which adorn our habitations. 

This is a busy and laborious mouth for the farmer. Now is 
the time to cut down the noxious weeds, before their seeds ma- 
ture. The refuse from the yards and fields is collected, to de- 
cay and form the manure to enrich the exhausted fields. The 
long green rows of the luxuriant corn and creeping vines adorn 
the hills and vales, and give bright promise to reward the labor- 
er's toil. 

The first fruits of the farmer's labors now grace his board. 
The green and milky Indian corn, with the tender bean, together 
form a favorite dish. The early orchard fruits appear, and on 
the creeping vines the large melon ripens, giving a ready, tempt- 
ing, and grateful repast for all. 



aoo 




SEPTEMBER. 

The frost comes on; leaves trembling fall in colors bright ; 
Now harrow well your fallow ground, and till it right; 
Looking for crops the coming year, now sow your gram 
Now di°- jour ditches, and your swampy low lands dram. 



The Fall or the Autumnal months, now commence, and though 
it is a season of decay, yet it possesses many charms. Many of 
the grain fields intended for the succeeding year, are re-plowed, 
the wheat and rye are sown, their roots strike into the earth, so 
as to endure the coming winter, and start anew with the earliest 
arowth of the coming spring. 

How beauteous is the forest hill-side, after the autumnal 
frosts have touched its summer foliage. Here is bright scarlet, 
there the golden-tinted leaf, and amid the faded green, how ma- 
nv brilliant tints appear, shade softening into shade. But look 
again the bright leaves are falling, scattered to the ground, their 
brilliant hues soon disappear, and moulder back again to earth. 
Towards the close of the month, it may be, that the equinox- 
ial gales may sweep o'er land and sea. The mariner, with his 
fragile bark, may be dashed upon the rugged, pointed rocks, and 
perish amid the foaming waters. On land, the tall tree is pros- 
trated, and the earth torn up by its wide-circling ; roots; the 
laded fruit-trees are rudely shaken by the winds, and fruits fall- 
ing untimely, are scattered around. 
26* 



306 



OCTOBER. 

Your teeming orchard fruit, ground in the crushing mill, 
Will make a wholesome drink ; use moderation still ; 
Use nature's beverage, the sparkling water clear. 
Mild Indian summer, — now the golden fruits appear. 



The autumnal fruits have now arrived at full perfection ; and 
the plants and flowers that remain have matured their seeds. 
On every hand, fruits of various forms and tints appear. The 
Indian corn begins to burst its covering, and its golden kernels, 
in thick set rows, bright in autumn's sun, show that the latter 
harvest now hath come. The bounteous Father of us all, crown- 
eth the year with goodness, His paths drop fatness, and He 
spreads a feast for all that lives. 

Receive the Creator's gifts with a thankful heart, and use all 
things well. Look at thy brother's good ; if thy meat or drink 
cause him to err, or stumble, then refrain, nor wound thy weaker 
brother more. 

The early frosts are come, making the insect tribes to disap- 
pear. The birds that sweetly warbled in the fields, taught by 
Him that made them, now begin their flight to warmer climes. 

The Indian summer comes, and the hazy, smoke-like air 
prevails around. The leaves are falling fast, covering the 
pathway through the forest shades. The trees and fields are, in 
the morning, whitened o'er with frost. The hardened shuck and 
the prickly burr now open, and the nut within falls to the ground, 
so that the smaller animals may gather winter stores and live. 



30' 




NOVEMBER. 

The corn brought in, the barns are full and running o'er; 
Thanksgiving's come, be grateful all, and feed the poor ; 
Treasures laid up secure, riches laid up above, 
You thus shall have, with God's approving, changeless love. 



In this month, the few remaining fruits are gathered in, secure 
from frosts, and from the snows which cover the ground in the 
more northern parts. The bright and yellow corn is secured in 
bins. Potatoes and turnips, the latest crop of all, are dug and 
pulled from the earth, placed in the warm cellars, or buried in 
the earth, beneath the winter's frost. The farmer's barns and 
store-houses are full and running o'er. 

The foliage of the trees o'er hill and dale, and in the forest 
wide, is nearly gone ; and the brown, seared leaves, rustle be- 
neath our feet. The tall trees extend their giant arms towards 
heaven, naked and bare, to meet the coming wintery blast. 

When this, the last autumnal month is closing, the appointed 
festal time takes place. Though scattered wide, families now 
meet beneath the paternal roof once more. The thanksgiving 
feast is now prepared, and the festal board, in rich profusion, full. 
give thanks unto God, both young men and maidens, who 
giveth food to all flesh, for His mercy endureth forever. They 
that are merciful, seek out the poor and needy. They feed the 
hungry, and the naked clothe. 



308 




DECEMBER. 

Thresh out your grain ; and be prepared for wintery snows ; 
Live as you ought ; the lingering year draws to a close ; 
Our worldly cares and fears and hopes, in Life's short day, 
Quickly they fly apace, and dream-like pass away. 



The days grow short, the cold grows more intense, and ice 
and snow soon follow. The cattle can no longer browse in the 
fields, but must be brought into farm-yards, and housed from the 
inclement storms. There is no time to be idle; the farmer 
threshes out his grain. He looks well to the brute creation un- 
der his charge, not forgetting the fowls who look-up to him as 
their protector and provider. 

Amid the desolations of the expiring year, the pines and hem- 
locks remain unchanged, in living green, though wintry blasts 
and storms may rage around. Fit emblem or type of him who 
in conscious virtue holds fast his integrity, throughout the chang- 
ing scenes of life. "Whether the summer sun of prosperity 
shines, or the wintery blasts of adversity prevail, he remains 
unchanged still. 

As the year draws to a close, review thy past life, and if du- 
ties have been neglected, or offences committed, ask forgiveness, 
and resolve, by divine help, to amend thy life, and live better 
for the coming year. 



309 

NATIONAL HYMN, 
Written br Kev.S. F. Sm^h * D-, ^^^ 




AMERICA. 
My Country, 'tis of thee 
Sweet land of Liberty 

Of thee I sing. 
Land where my fathers died ; 
Land of the Pilgrim's pride ; 
From every mountain side 

Let Freedom ring. 



["Freedom to worship God!" was the Pilgrim's cry; their 
ashes remain among us, and their spirit still lives.— In later 
time" oT Fathers raised the battle-cry of Freedom and Liberty. 
Revoiutionary heroes perished in the contest but the victory 
was rained, and we became a nation in the earth. 

In our last struggle, the chains of the last slave fell off, and 
American Freedom was sustained ;-therefore let the antiien i of 
Freedom be sounded from the North, from the sunny South, and 
from the mighty West.] 



10 




My native country, thee, 
Land of the noble free, — 

Thy name I love ; 
I love thy rocks and rills, 
Thy woods and templed hills, 
My heart with rapture thrills, 

Like that above. 



[Our fathers came from a distant land, from whence they were 
driven by persecution. America, where we dwell, is our native 
country, and the name of America we love, and we trust it will 
be a watch- word for freedom among the nations of the earth. — 
We love her rocky shores and sparkling waters, — her vales and 
hills, with their temples of worship, feeling that the God of our 
fathers made them all. When we think of His mercies and love, 
our hearts swell with rapturous joy, like the heavenly hosts 
above.] 



31 i. 




Let music swell the breeze, 
And ring from fill the trees 

Sweet freedom's song ; 
Let mortal tongues awake, 
And all that breathe partake ; 
Let rocks their silence break, 

The sound prolong. 



[We feel the glow of thanksgiving, and would, like the sweet 
singer of Israel, call upon all creation, animate and inanimate, 
to praise our God. Let music be wafted by the breeze, and ech- 
oed by every grove and forest wild. Let the tongues of young 
men and maidens, old men and children, sound forth sweet 
freedom's song. Let all that breathe, join in the anthem, and 
let the echoing rocks prolong the sound.] 



312 




Our fathers God to Thee 
Author of Liberty, 

To Thee we sing ; 
Long may our land be bright 
With Freedom's holy light, 
Potect us by Thy might 

Great God our King. 



[While we utter notes of gladness for the Freedom we enjoy ; 
never let us forget our Father's God, the Author of all true 
Freedom or Liberty. Let us raise our hearts and voices ; let us 
praise and adore our G-od and King, entreating him to continue 
our civil and religious liberties. May He protect us by His Al- 
mighty power throughout all succeeding ages.] 



3 : a 



OUTLINE HISTORY 

OF THE 

UNITED STATES 




Good evidence exists that the North-eastern coast 
of the United States was visited by Europeans a 
few centuries before the discoveries of Columbus. 
It is believed by respectable historians, that a col- 
ony of Norwegians, or Northmen, visited the coast 
of New England about A. D. 1000. The original 
Icelandic account of the voyages of these men still 
remains. 

The fame which Columbus had acquired by his 
discoveries in the Western hemisphere, spread 
throughout Europe, and inspired many with the 
spirit of enterprize. The first discovery of Colum- 
bus was made in 1492, and on his fourth voyage, in 
1498, he discovered the Continent at the mouth of 
the Orinoco, in South America. 
27 



314 

In 1497, John Cabot, a Venetian, under the pat- 
ronage of Henry VII, of England, commenced a 
voyage of discovery. He was accompanied by his 
son Sebastian, and three hundred men, with two 
caravels, freighted by the merchants of London and 
Bristol. On the 24th of June they discovered land. 
Cabot called it Prima Vista, which, in Italian, his 
native tongue, signifies, first sight. This is supposed 
to have been some part of the island of Newfound- 
land. A few days afterward they discovered a 
smaller island, which they named St. Johns, on ac- 
count of the discovery being made on the day of 
John the Baptist. They continued westerly till 
they reached the Continent, and then sailed along 
northerly, to the latitude of sixty-seven and a half 
degrees. Despairing of finding " a passage to India" 
in that quarter, they turned back and sailed along 
the coast southward, to Florida, and then from 
thence returned to England. Upon the discoveries 
made in this voyage, the English founded their claim 
to the eastern portion of North America. 

In 1539, the Spaniards, under Ferdinand de Soto, 
landed in Florida, and lured by the hope of finding 
gold, attempted the conquest of that and the ad- 
joining countries. Soto died at the mouth of Red 
river, on the Mississippi, and the enterprize was 
abandoned. In 1562, during the civil war in France, 
between the Protestants and Catholics, Admiral Co- 
ligny formed a project of establishing a colony of 
Protestants, or Huguenots, as they were called, in 
America. Two ships were fitted out, under the 
command of John Ribault, who landed a party at 
a place supposed to be within the limits of South 
Carolina, The company afterwards mutined, and 
abandoned the settlement. 

In 1564, Laudoniere, another Frenchman, carried 
a colony to Florida, and built a fortification, called 



315 

Fort Caroline. The next year, Ribault arrived in 
Florida with seven vessels, and took most of the 
men in Fort Caroline for an expedition against the 
Spaniards. At this time Melendez, in the service 
of Spain, was on his way to Florida, with a fleet 
and army, for the purpose of driving the Huguenots 
out of Florida, and to settle it with good Catholics. 
Arriving in Florida, he killed Ribault, and all his 
company, except a few who made their escape to 
France. Melendez now built three forts on the river 
of Mao, and garrisoned them with Spaniards. He 
also proceeded to the South, and discovered the har- 
bor of St. Augustine, and laid the foundations of the 
city of that name, the oldest, by more than forty 
years, of any within the limits of the United States, 
east of the Mississippi river. In 1568, Chevalier 
Gourgues, of France, hearing of the massacre of his 
countrymen in Florida, determined to avenge their 
death. . . . He according fitted out, at his own ex- 
pense, three frigates, with one hundred and fifty 
soldiers, and eighty chosen mariners, and sailed to 
Florida. Although the Spaniards were four hundred 
in number, Gourgues succeeded in destroying all 
their fortifications, and killing most of the Spaniards. 
Not being in a situation to keep possession, the 
French returned to France. 

The first attempt at colonization in America, by 
the English, was made by Sir Humphrey Gilbert, in 
1576, under the patronage of Queen Elizabeth. Af- 
ter he had put to sea on his first voyage, he was 
obliged to return. In the second, he reached St. 
Johns, in Newfoundland, where he took possession 
of the country for his sovereign, by raising a pillar 
inscribed with the British arms. He also took meas- 
ures to secure to the English the fisheries on the 
banks, which have since proved so valuable. From 
thence he sailed south-westerly, to the latitude of 



the mouth of the Kennebec. There, the largest of 
his three vessels struck, and all of her crew perished. 
Gilbert then set his face toward England, personally, 
in the smallest of his remaining vessels, a barge of 
only ten tuns ; for he ever generously refused to put 
any man to a peril he was himself unwilling to share. 
The passage was stormy, but his noble and pious 
mind undoubtedly found comfort in the reflection he 
uttered to his companions in a time of danger. " We 
are as near heaven at sea as on land." During the 
night, the lights of his little bark suddenly vanished, 
and he was heard of no more. 

In 1584, Queen Elizabeth, by patent, granted to 
Sir Walter Raleigh, authority to discover, occupy, 
and govern, "remote, heathen, and barbarous coun- 
tries," not previously possessed by any Christian 
prince or people. Under this commission, two ships, 
commanded by Amidas and Barlow, sailed for Amer- 
ica, where they arrived in July, 1584. They landed 
at Roanoke, took possession of the country for the 
crown of England, and in honor of the virgin queen, 
named it Virginia. On their return, they gave 
such a flattering account of their discoveries, that 
Sir Richard Grenville was sent the next year, to be- 
gin a settlement. 

The adventurers under Grenville, to the number 
of one hundred and seven, fixed their residence on 
the island of Roanoke, on the coast of what is now 
North Carolina, where they were left in charge of 
Mr. Lane. These persons rambled into the country, 
without due caution, or provoked the Indians by 
their lawless conduct, so that many were cut off by 
them ; while others perished from want. The survi- 
vors were taken to England by Sir Francis Drake, 
after his successful expedition against the Spaniards. 

Within a fortnight after the first colony had left 
Roanoke, Sir Richard Grenville arrived with pro- 



317 

visions and an additional number of settlers. Xot 
finding the former colony, lie left fifteen of his crew 
to retain possession of the island, and returned to 
England. In 1588, Sir Walter Raleigh equipped 
three vessels, and sent another company of one 
hundred and fifty adventurers to Virginia. He con- 
stituted John White governor, who, remaining about 
one month, returned to England, to solicit supplies 
for the colony. Before he departed, his daughter, 
Mrs. Dare, gave birth to a female infant, the first 
child of English parents born in America. The in- 
fant was baptized by the name of Virginia. Ow- 
ing to the war with Spain, no supplies were sent to 
the colony for three years. In 1590, when Governor 
White returned, no Englishmen were to be found, 
and it was evident that they had perished through 
want, or had been killed by savages. The last ad- 
venturers, therefore, returned, and all further at- 
tempts to establish a colony in Virginia were post- 
poned. 

These successive misfortunes withdrew, for several 
years, the attention of the English from this distant 
country. In 1602, Bartholomew Gosnold made a 
voyage to America. Instead of taking the circuit- 
ous, but usual, route by the West India Islands, he 
steered directly west from England, shortening the 
voyage about one-third, and arrived in May on the 
coast of Massachusetts. Taking a large number of 
codfish, near a cape which extended for into the sea, 
he gave to it the name of Cape Cod. Proceeding 
southerly, he passed Gay Head, entered Buzzard's 
Bay, and, upon an island, he erected a small fort ; 
then, after trading with the Indians, he returned 
home. 

The report of this voyage revived the spirit of 
adventure. In 1603, and 1605, two voyages were 
made. Penobscot and Massachusetts, and the rivers 
27* 



$18 

between them, were discovered. An extensive 
scheme of colonization was adopted, of which Mr. 
Richard Hakluyt was the most active promoter. An 
association was formed, for the purpose of sending 
colonies to America. Upon application to King 
James, he, by letters patent, in 1606, divided the 
country of Virginia, extending from South Carolina 
to the northern boundary of Maine, into two dis- 
tricts, and constituted two companies for planting 
colonies within them. The southern district, called 
South Virginia, was granted to Sir Thomas Gates, 
and his associates, mostly residents of London, and, 
therefore, styled the London Company. The north- 
ern section, called North Virginia, was granted to 
Thomas Hanham and his associates, who were sty- 
led the Plymouth Company. The members of these 
companies were principally merchants, whose objects 
were, the extension of commerce and the discovery 
of the precious metals. 

In 1614, Capt. John Smith, so distinguished in the history of 
Virginia, was sent with two ships from England to North Vir- 
ginia, with instructions to remain in the country, and to keep 
possession. In April, he reached the Island of Monahigon, in 
latitude 43° 4'. After building seven boats, he, in one of them, 
with eight men, ranged the coast east and west, from Penobscot 
to Cape Cod, and bartered with the natives for beaver and other 
furs. On his return to England, he drew a map of the country 
from the observations he had made, and presented it to King 
Charles, who was so well pleased with it, that he directed that 
it should be called New England. 

Capt. Smith left one of his vessels under the command of 
Captain Hunt, with orders to complete her lading on the coast, 
and then proceed to Malaga, in Spain. Hunt, under the pretense 
of trade, enticed upward of twenty of the natives on board of 
his ship, put them under hatches, and carried them to Spain, 
where he sold them as slaves. This perfidious act disposed the 
natives in that part of the country to revenge the injury on the 
countrymen of the offender ; and the English were obliged to 
suspend their trade and projected settlements. 



Nearly all the States of the American Union have 
suffered more or less from the ravages of the Indian 
Avars. They commenced, at the first settlement in 
the country, and have been continued down to the 
present time. In the year 1622, the settlers in Vir- 
ginia lost three hundred and forty-nine of their num- 
bers, by a sudden massacre. The Indians, for some- 
time before, lived on very familiar terms with the 
English ; but, in the spring of that year, they se- 
cretly plotted to exterminate the colony. It ap- 
pears that a young Indian chief had murdered an 
Englishman by the name of Morgan, for some toys 
which he was carrying to sell his people. The Eng- 
lish attempted to save him, but he, making an ob- 
stinate resistance, was killed. To revenge his death, 
a conspiracy was formed, when the Indians fell upon 
the inhabitants, who were unprepared, and killed all 
they found. Most of the plantations had to be 
abandoned, and the settlers retired to Jamestown 
for safety. A furious war ensued, in which the In- 
dians were slain without mercy. 

The settlers at Plymouth and Massachusetts had 
no trouble with the Indians for many years. But, 
westward of Narragansett Bay, in Rhode Island, 
lived several powerful tribes, who had not been re- 
duced by the mortal sickness which had, previous 
to the arrival of the Plymouth settlers, swept off so 
large a portion of the more eastern Indians. The 
Pequots, the most warlike tribe, commenced hostili- 
ties against the first settlers of Connecticut, but in 
May, 1637, they were totally defeated and ruined 
by Capfc Mason and others. 

*In 1675, Philip, sachem of the Wampanoags, who 
lived at Mount Hope, in Rhode Island, began the 
most general and destructive war ever sustained by 
the infant colonies. Philip, a proud and high-mind- 
ed chieftain, undertook the war, in hopes of exter- 



320 

minating the English, who were extending their set- 
tlements on every side. By his influence he suc- 
ceeded in drawing into the conflict most of the 
tribes in New England. 

The war having commenced, Philip and his allies 
hovered around the exposed settlements, burnt sev- 
eral frontier towns, killed numbers of the inhabit- 
ants, and slew several parties of soldiers, who went 
to their defense. The Narragansets, with whom the 
English had formed a treaty in July, 1675, were 
found secretly aiding the hostile Indians. To pun- 
ish this perfidious tribe, it was determined to reduce 
them by a winter expedition. For this purpose, 
about one thousand men, under Governor Winslow, 
marched, late in December, wading in a deep snow, 
and attacked their fort, which was situated in a 
swamp. The Narragansets, being furnished with 
fire-arms, made great havoc among the officers who 
first entered the fort. Six captains and eighty men 
were killed, one hundred and fifty were wounded, 
and all suffered greatly from frozen limbs and other 
hardships. Their success, however, was complete. 
The fort was taken, five or six hundred wigwams 
were burnt and destroyed, and about one thousand 
Indians are supposed to have perished. 

Notwithstanding the severe blow to the Indians by 
the destruction at the Narraganset fort, King Philip, 
as he was called, refused to listen to any terms of 
peace with the English. He still continued to at- 
tack and burn the settlements of the whites, and to 
kill the inhabitants ; but soon the tide of war began 
to turn against him. Many of his faithful followers 
were either killed or captured, and he himself was 
hunted like a wild beast from place to place. He 
was finally shot through the heart by a friendly In- 
dian under the command of Captain Church, near 
Mount Hope, as he was endeavoring to make his es- 



321 

cape from his pursuers, on the 12th of August, 
1676. This event put an end to the war, and extin- 
guished the Indian power in this part of New Eng- 
land. Thus closed a most distressing era, during 
which about six hundred of the inhabitants of New 
England, composing the flower of her strength, were 
either killed in battle, or were murdered by the en- 
emy ; twelve or thirteen towns swept away, about 
six hundred buildings, mostly dwelling houses, de- 
stroyed, and a heavy debt incurred. 

On the accession of William, Prince of Orange, 
to the throne of England, war ensued between Eng- 
land and France, and as Canada then belonged to 
France, the French instigated the Indians to hostil- 
ities against the colonies. On the night of Febru- 
ary 8, 1690, a party of French and Indians from 
Montreal, finding the inhabitants of Schenectady 
asleep and unguarded, broke in upon them, murder- 
ed sixty-three, and took twenty-seven prisoners. 
They also burnt the houses, killed most of the cat- 
tle and horses, and marched oft* with the remainder 
of the horses, laden with plunder. Those of the 
people who escaped, fled nearly naked toward Al- 
bany, about fifteen miles distant, amid the snow, in 
a severe night, twenty-five of whom lost their limbs 
by the frost. 

The inhabitants in the eastern part of New Eng- 
land suffered much from the Indians, from the year 
1690, to 1698. The brave and venerable Major 
Waldron, and twenty-two others, were taken by 
surprise, and slain, at Dover, in New Hampshire. 
The plantation at Salmon Falls was surprised by a 
party of French and Indians, under Hertel, a French- 
man. Thirty men Were killed, and fifty-four women 
and children captured. Such was the distress of the 
times, from the incursions of the enemy, that the in- 
habitants had to abandon the defenseless parts of 



S^2 

the country, and retire to the garrisoned towns. 
These calamities were continued till the peace be- 
tween England and France, in 1698, when Fronte- 
nac, the French commander in Canada, ceased to 
instigate the savages. 

In 1702, during Queen Anne's reign, Avar was 
again proclaimed between England and France, and 
the American colonies were again exposed to all the 
horrors of Indian warfare. In February, 1704, Deer- 
field, in Massachusetts, was surprised and burnt by 
a party of two hundred Frenchmen, and one hun- 
dred and forty-two Indians. About forty-seven of 
the inhabitants were killed, and one hundred and 
twelve were made prisoners, among whom were the 
Rev. John Williams and his family. New Hamp- 
shire, and especially Maine, was exposed to the mur- 
derous inroads of these ferocious savages. In Au- 
gust, 1708, a party of Indians, headed by French- 
men, assaulted Haverhill, on the Merrimac, burnt 
some of the houses, and slew thirty or forty of the in- 
habitants, among whom was Mr. Rolfe, their min- 
ister. 

From the earliest settlement of the Colonies to 
the treaty of Paris, in 1763, they were often haras- 
sed by frequent wars with the Indians, French, 
Spaniards and Dutch. During the Indian wars, the 
savages were often instigated by the French and 
Dutch, to fall on the English settlements, in order 
to exterminate the colonists, or drive them from the 
country. These Avars were by far the most distress- 
ing ; the first settlers lived in continual fear and 
anxiety, for fear their Indian foes would fill upon 
them in some unguarded moment, and oftentimes 
they had to struggle to prevent their entire exter- 
mination. After the colonies had subdued the In- 
dians in their immediate vicinity, they were assailed 
by the French and Indians. The French possessed 



323 



Canada, and had made a number of settlements m 
Florida, and claimed the country on both sides ot 
the Mississippi. To secure and extend their claims 
they established a line of forts, back of the English 
settlements, from Canada to Florida They used 
much art and persuasion to gain over the Indians to 
their interest, in which they were generally success- 
ful Encroachments were accordingly made on the 
English possessions, and mutual injuries succeeded, 
which soon broke out into open war. 

In order to put a stop to the depredations ot the 
French and Indians, it was contemplated to conquer 
Canada. In 1690, the Commissioners of the Colo- 
nies projected an expedition against Quebec. Ine 
land forces ordered for this invasion consisted oi 
850 men, raised from the Colonies of New England 
and New York, and commanded by Gen. Wmthrop. 
At the same time, a fleet of armed ships and trans- 
ports, with 1,800 men, under Sir William Phipps, 
was ordered to sail up the St. Lawrence, and co- 
operate with the land forces in the reduction of Que- 
bec But owing to the delay of the fleet, and the 
want of boats and provisions among the land forces, 
the expedition was unsuccessful. The next expedi- 
tion against Canada, took place in 1709, m Queen 
Anne'! reign. The Colonies of New England and 
New York, raised about 2,500 men, who were placed 
under the command of Gen. Nicholson, who pro- 
ceeded to Wood Creek, south of Lake George 
Here they waited to hear of the arrival of the fleet 
which was to co-operate with them The fleet did 
not arrive, and the army at Wood Creek were at- 
tacked with a malignant disease which occasioned 
a great mortality, which compelled them to with- 
draw, and the expedition was abandoned. In 1/11, 
another attempt, under Gen Nicholson with the land 
forces, and a fleet under Admiral Walker, was made 



324 

for the conquest of Canada. But this failed by the 
loss of eight or nine transports, with about 1,000 
men, by shipwreck. The peace of Utrecht, signed 
March 3d, 1713, put an end to hostilities, and con- 
tinued till 1739. 

In 1744, Great Britain declared war against 
France, and the next year Louisburg, a strong for- 
tress on Cape Breton, was taken from the French. 
The French government soon fitted out a large fleet, 
with a large body of land forces, for the purpose of 
recovering Louisburg, and attacked the English Col- 
onies. But this expedition, by means of storms, 
sickness among the troops, &c., failed of accomplish- 
ing anything, and the colonies were relieved from 
consternation and dismay. This war closed by a 
treaty of peace, signed at Alx la Chapelle, in 1748. 

In 1755, hostilities again commenced between 
Great Britain and France, and in 1756, four expedi- 
tions were undertaken against the French. One was 
conducted by Col. Monckton and Gen. Winslow, 
against Nova Scotia. This expedition was attended 
with success. The country was subdued, and the 
inhabitants, about 2,000 in number, were transported 
to New England, and dispersed and incorporated 
with their conquerors. Gen. Johnson was ordered, 
with a body of troops, to take possession of Crown 
Point, but he did not succeed. Gen. Shirley com- 
manded an expedition against the fort at Niagara, 
but lost the season by delay. Gen. Braddock was 
sent against Fort du Quesne, but in penetrating 
through the wilderness, fell into an ambuscade of 
French and Indians, where he was killed, and his 
troops suffered an entire defeat. 

In 1758, great efforts were made to subdue the 
French in America. Three armies were employed — 
one, commanded by Gen. Amherst, to take posses- 
sion of Cape Breton — one, under Gen. Abercrombie, 



&3 



325 

destined against Crown Point — and third, under 
Gen. Forbes, to drive the French from the Ohio. 
Gen. Amherst was successful in taking Louisburg 
after a warm siege. The inhabitants of Cape Bre 
ton were sent to France, and the fortifications of 
Louisburg reduced to a heap of ruins. 

Gen. Abercrombie, who was sent against Crown 
Point and Ticonderoga, attacked the French at the 
latter place, and was defeated, with a terrible slaugh- 
ter of his troops. Gen. Forbes was successful" in 
taking possession of Fort du Quesne, which the 
French thought proper to abandon. — The next year, 
the efforts of the British and Americans to reduce 
the French were more successful. Gen. Prideaux 
and Sir William Johnson, began the operations of 
the campaign, by taking possession of the French 
fort near Niagara. Gen. Amherst took possession 
of the forts at Crown Point and Ticonderoga, which 
the French had abandoned. 

But the decisive blow which proved the destruc- 
tion of the French power in America, was the taking 
of Quebec by Gen. Wolfe. The loss of Quebec was 
soon followed by the capture of Montreal by Gen. 
Amherst, and Canada became a province of the 
British Empire. " Thus, after a century of wars, 
massacres, and destruction, committed by the French 
and savages, the colonies were secured from fero- 
cious invaders, and Canada, with a valuable trade 
in furs, came under the British dominion." 

The conquests of Canada, and the expulsion of the French 
from the Ohio, put an end to all important military operations 
in the American Colonies. In Europe, however, the war con- 
tinued to rage ; and in the West Indies, the British, aided by 
the Americans, took Havana from the Spaniards. But in 
1762, "a definitive treaty of peace was signed at Paris, by 
which the French king ceded Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, and 
Canada, to the British king ; and the middle of the Mississippi, 
from its source to the river Iberville, and the middle of that riv- 
28 



326 

er, to the sea, was made the boundary between the British and 
French dominions in America. Spain ceded to Great Britain, 
Florida, and all her possessions to the east of the Mississippi. 
Such was the state of the European possessions in America, at 
the commencement of the Revolution." 

The first attempt of the British government to raise a revenue 
in America, appeared in the memorable Stamp Act; but such 
was the opposition of the colonies to this act, that it was shortly 
after repealed. The Parliament, however, persisted in their 
right to raise a revenue from the colonies, and accordingly pass- 
ed an act, laying a certain duty on glass, tea, paper, and paint- 
er's colors — articles which were much wanted, and not manu- 
factured in America. This act was so obnoxious to the Amer- 
icans, that the Parliament thought proper, in 1770, to takeoff 
these duties, except three pence a pound on tea. But this duty, 
however trifling, kept alive the jealousies of the colonies, and 
their opposition continued and increased. It was not the incon- 
venience of paying the duty which raised their opposition, but 
it was the principle, which, once admitted, would have subjected 
the colonies to unlimited parliamentry taxation, without the 
privilege of being represented. 

After a series of oppressive acts on the part of the British 
government, and of opposition on the part of the colonies, Gen. 
Gage was sent over with an armed force to Boston, in 1774, to 
overawe and reduce the rebellious colonies to submission. But 
these measures did not intimidate the Americans. The people 
generally concurred in a proposition for holding a Congress by 
deputation from the several colonies, in order to concert meas- 
ures for the preservation of their rights. Deputies were accord- 
ingly appointed, and the first Congress met at Philadelphia, in 
October, 1774. The proceedings of the American Congress had 
a tendency to confirm the people in a spirited and unanimous 
determination to resist the oppressive acts of the mother coun- 
try and to defend their just and constitutional rights. On the 
other hand, the British parliament declared that a rebellion actu- 
ally existed, and besought his Britanic Majesty to take the most 
effectual measures to enforce due obedience to the laws and au- 
thority of his government ; and assured him that they were de- 
termined to support him in maintaining the just rights of the 
crown. " From this moment, an appeal to arms became una- 
voidable, and both parties prepared for the conflict." 

The first scene of this sanguinary conflict opened at Lexington, 
on the morning of the 19th of April, 1775. Here was spilt the 
first blood in a war of seven years duration, a war which sev- 
ered these United States from the British empire, and ended in 
the establishment of their independence. 



EVENTS 



IN THE 



REVOLUTIONARY WAR 



1775. 

[The first year of the Revolution.] 

The principal operations of the war during this year, took 
place in the northern States. As the province of Massachusetts 
had been foremost in opposition, the British government sent 
their forces to Boston, the capital, and held it in possession du- 
ring the year. Soon after the battle of Lexington and Bunkers 
Hill, Gen. "Washington, who was appointed commander-in-chief 
of the American forces, arrived at Cambridge, and took the com- 
mand of the Army in July. The army investing Boston amount- 
ed to about 15,000 men. They were mostly destitute of good 
arms, ammunition, clothing, and experienced officers. "Wash- 
ington's first and most difficult task was, to organize and disci- 
pline the troops. Owing to his uncommon exertions and influ- 
ence, he succeeded in bringing high-minded freemen to know 
their respective places, and to have the mechanism as well as 
movements of a regular army. 

In the autumn of this year, a body of troops under the com- 
mand of GTen. Montgomery, besieged and took the garrison at 
St. John's, which commanded the entrance into Canada. Gen. 
Montgomery pursued his success, and took Montreal. At Que- 
bec, being joined by Gen. Arnold, who had marched a body of 
men through the wilderness to his assistance, Montgomery made 



328 

an assault on Quebec, on the last day of the year. In this at- 
tack he was killed, his troops defeated, and the American army 
was finally compelled to evacuate Canada. 

During this year, nearly all the old governments of the colo- 
nies were dissolved ; and the royal governors and the crown 
officers adhering to British measures, were obliged to leave the 
country, or suspend their functions. From that time, temporary 
conventions were held, for the purpose of administering the 
laws and making regulations to meet the public exigencies. In 
some of the colonies, however, the British adherents (who were 
called tories) were numerous and powerful ; which weakened the 
opposition to the British arms. 

1776. 

This year was opened by the burning of the large and flour- 
ishing town of Norfolk, in Virginia, by order of Lord Dunmore, 
the royal governor of that province. 

The British king entered into treaties with some of the Ger- 
man States for about 17,000 men, who were to be sent to Amer- 
ica this year, to assist in subduing the Colonies. These troops 
were generally called Hessians, from the circumstance of many 
of them being raised in Hesse Cassel in Germany. Gen. "Wash- 
ington, who still continued before Boston, in the opening of the 
spring, planted his batteries so judiciously before that town, that 
the British general, Howe, on the 17th of March, abandoned 
the place, and Gen. "Washington marched into the place in 
triumph. 

During the summer, a squadron of ships commanded by Sir 
Peter Parker, and a body of troops under generals Clinton and 
Cornwallis, attempted to take Charleston, the capital of South 
Carolina. The fort on Sullivan's Island, near Charleston, was 
attacked with great fury by the ships of the squadron, but the 
British were repulsed with great loss, and the expedition was 
abandoned. 

On the 4th of July, Congress published the Declaration of In- 
dependence. Soon after the declaration, Gen. Howe, with a pow- 
erful force, arrived near New York, and landed the troops on 
Staten Island. Gen. "Washington, at this time, was in New 
York, with about 13,000 men, who were encamped either in the 
city, or the neighboring fortifications. The operations of the 
British began by attacking the Americans on Long Island. The 
Americans were defeated with severe loss, and Gen. Washing- 
ton probably saved the remainder of his troops, by ordering them 
to retreat on the night after the battle. 

In September, New York was abandoned by the Americans, 



S29 

and taken by the British, and in November, fort Washington on 
York Island was taken, and more than 2,000 men made prison- 
ers ; about the same time, Gen. Clinton took possession of Rhode 
Island. 

The American army being greatly diminished by the loss of 
men taken prisoners, and the departure of large bodies of oth- 
ers, whose term of enlistment had expired, Gen. Washington 
was obliged, with the remnant of his army, which had been re- 
duced from 25,000, to scarcely 3,000, to retreat towards Phila- 
delphia, pursued by their victorious enemies. This was the 
most gloomy period of the Revolution. Washington saw the 
necessity of striking some successful blow, to reanimate the ex- 
piring hopes of his countrymen. The battles of Trenton and 
Princeton revived the hopes of America, and confounded their 
enemies. Congress also made great exertions to rouse the spir- 
its of the people, and sent agents to solicit the friendship and 
aid of foreign powers. 

1777. 

The plan of the British Ministry during this year was, to sep- 
arate the Northern from the Southern States, by sending an ar- 
my under Gen. Burgoyne from Canada, to penetrate into the 
Northern States, and endeavor to effect a communication with 
the British at New York. If this plan had been successful, it 
would probably have had a fatal effect on the American cause. 
But the defeat of Burgoyne at Bennington and Saratoga, and the 
surrender of his army at the latter place, produced important 
results in favor of the Americans. At the South, the Brit- 
ish were more successful. Gen. Howe embarked his forces 
at New York, sailed up the Chesapeake, landed at the head of 
Elk river, and began his march to Philadelphia. Gen. Wash- 
ington endeavored to stop his progress, and a battle was fought 
near Brandyicine Creek, but the Americans were overpowered 
by superior numbers and discipline, and Gen. Howe took pos- 
session of Philadelphia. The American Congress now retired 
to Yorktown, in Virginia. 

1778. 

The beginning of this year was distinguished by a Treaty of 
Alliance with France, whereby the Americans obtained a power- 
ful ally. When the British ministry were informed that this 
treaty was in agitation, they dispatched commissioners to Amer- 
ica, to attempt a reconciliation. — But the Americans had now 
gone too far to accept their offers. The British evacuated Phil- 
28* 



830 

adelphia in June, and marched for New York ; on their march, 
they were annoyed by the Americans, and at Monmouth an action 
took place, in which, had Gen. Lee obeyed his orders, a signal 
victory would have been obtained. 

In July, Count D'Estaing arrived at Newport, E. I., with a 
French fleet, for the assistance of the Americans. In August, 
Gen. Sullivan, with a large body of troops, attempted to take 
possession of Rhode Island, but did not succeed. In December, 
Savannah, the capital of Georgia, was taken by the British, un- 
der the command of Col. Campbell. About this time an insur- 
rection of the Royalists in North Carolina was crushed, by the 
spirited exertions of the militia. During this year, a more reg- 
ular discipline was introduced into the American army by Baron 
Steuben, a German officer. 

1779. 

The campaign of 1779 was distinguished for nothing decisive 
on the part of the Americans or British. " The British seemed 
to have aimed at little more than to distress, plunder, and con- 
sume — it having been, early in the year, adopted as a principle 
upon which to proceed, to render the Colonies of as little avail 
as possible to their new connections." In accordance with these 
views, an expedition was sent from New York to Virginia, for 
the purpose of distressing the Americans. They landed at 
Portsmouth, and destroyed the shipping and valuable stores in 
that vicinity. After enriching themselves with various kinds of 
booty, and burning several places, they returned to New York. 
Soon after this expedition, a similar one, under the command of 
Gov. Tryon, was sent against Connecticut. New Haven and 
East Haven were plundered; Fairfield, Norwalk, and Green's 
Farms, were wantonly burned. About this time Stony Point 
was taken by Gen. Wayne. In October, Gen. Lincoln, (who 
commanded the southern American army) and Count D'Estaing, 
made an assault on Savannah, but they were repulsed with con- 
siderable loss. During the summer, Gen. Sullivan was sent 
against the Six Nations, and laid waste their country ; — these 
Indians had been induced, by the British, to take up arms against 
the Americans. Forty villages were consumed, and 100,000 
bushels of corn were destroyed. 

1780. 

On the opening of the campaign of this year, the British 
troops left Rhode Island, and Sir Henry Clinton, finding it more 
easy to make an impression on the southern States, which were 



331 

less populous than the northern, determined to make them the 
seat of war. Clinton, with Lord Cornwallis, undertook an ex- 
pedition against Charleston, South Carolina, where Gen. Lincoln 
commanded. This place, after a close siege of. about six weeks, 
surrendered to the British commander ; and Gen. Lincoln, and 
the whole garrison, were made prisoners on the 12th of May. 

Gen. Gates was now appointed to the command of the south- 
ern American army. In August, Lord Cornwallis (who was left 
in the command of the British forces at the South) attacked Gen. 
Gates, and entirely routed his army. He afterwards marched 
through the southern States, and supposed them entirely sub- 
dued. During the summer, the British troops made frequent in- 
cursions into New Jersey, ravaging and plundering the country. 
This year was also distinguished for the infamous treason of 
Gen. Arnold, which stamped his name with lasting infamy. 

1781. 

The beginning of this year was distinguished by a mutiny in 
the American army ; this was occasioned by their severe suffer- 
ings and privations, and the depreciation of the Continental 
Money with which they were paid. But the punishment of the 
ring-leaders, and the exhortation of the officers, prevailed to 
bring them back to their duty. 

After the defeat of Gen. Gates in Carolina, Gen. Greene was 
appointed to the command of the American troops in that quar- 
ter. From this period, the aspect of the war was more favorable. 
On the 17th of January, at the Cowpens, Gen. Morgan, the in- 
trepid commander of riflemen, signally defeated Col. Tarleton, 
the active commander of the British Legion. After a variety of 
movements, the main armies met at Guilford, in Carolina, on the 
15th of March. Gen. Greene and Lord Cornwallis exerted them- 
selves at the head of their respective armies ; and although the 
Americans were obliged to retire from the field of battle, yet 
the British army suffered a severe loss, and could not pursue the 
victory. After the battle of Guilford, Gen. Greene moved tow- 
ards South Carolina, to drive the British from their posts in that 
State, and by a brilliant action at Eutaw Springs, forced Lord 
Cornwallis to withdraw his forces and fortify himself in York- 
town, in Virginia. 

In the spring of this year, Arnold, the traitor, with a number 
of British troops, sailed to Virginia, and plundered the country, 
and at the time Cornwallis was at Yorktown, made an incursion 
into Connecticut, burnt New London, took fort Griswold by 
storm, and put the garrison to the sword. 

About the last of August, Count de Grasse, with a large French 



332 

fleet, arrived in the Chesapeake, and blocked up the British 
troops at Yorktown. Gen. Washington, previous to this, had 
moved the main body of his army to the southward, and when 
he heard of the arrival of the French fleet, made rapid marches 
to the head of Elk river, where embarking, his army soon arri- 
ved at Yorktown. A vigorous siege now commenced, and was 
carried on with such effect by the combined forces of America 
and France, that Cornwallis was forced to surrender. This im- 
portant event took place on the 19th of October, 1781, and de- 
cided the Revolutionary war. 

On the 30th of November, 1782, the provisional articles of 
peace were signed at Paris; by which Great Britain acknowl- 
edged the Independence and sovereignty of the United States of 
America, and these articles were afterwards ratified by a defi- 
nitive treaty. 

After several fruitless efforts to establish a National Govern- 
ment, a Convention of State Delegates, in May, 1787, met in 
Philadelphia, and agreed to a frame of Government, which was 
finally adopted by all the States. On the 30th of April, 1789, 
George Washington was inaugurated the First President of 
the United States. 



Washington's Administration. 

This period continued for eight'years. Washing- 
ton, the leader of the armies of the United States, who 
conducted them through the perilous and successful 
struggle for Independence, was now called on by his 
countrymen to administer their national govern- 
ment. " His administration, partaking of his char- 
acter, Avas mild and firm at home, noble and pru- 
dent abroad." The principal events in this period 
were, the Indian war on our Western frontiers — 
the Whiskey Insurrection in Pennsylvania — Jay's 
treaty with Great Britain, — and the establishment 
of a National Bank and Mint. 

" During this period, the arts and manufactures 
attracted the attention of Government. Mr. Ham- 
ilton, Secretary of the Treasury, made a report to 
Congress on the subject, on which he set forth their 
importance to the country, and urged the policy of 



333 



aiding them. Since that time, the revenue laws have 
been framed, with a view to the encouragement oi 
manufactures, and their promotion has been consid- 
ered as a part of the policy of the United States. 
The United States, at the close of this period, con- 
tained about 5,000,000 inhabitants. 

Adams' Administration. 
In 1796 Mr. Adams was elected President, and 
continued 'in the office four years. The principal 
events during this time, were-the difficulties^ 
the French Government— the Death of Washing- 
ton, and the transfer of the seat of the national gov- 
ernment to Washington. The greater part of Mr. 
Adams' administration, was the subject of much 
popular clamor, owing to several imprudent laws 
which were passed during his Presidency. Such 
were the " Alien" and " Sedition Laics," the act for 
raising a standing army, and the act for imposing a 
direct tax, and internal duties. These causes, with 
some others, caused so much opposition to Mr. Ad- 
ams, that it prevented his re-election to the Presi- 
dency. 

Jefferson's Administration. 
Mr Jefferson's administration commenced in 1801, 
and continued for eight years. The most prominent 
events during this period were-the purchase of 
Louisiana-the War with Tripoli-Burr's Conspir- 
acy, the outrage upon the Chesapeake, and the lay- 
ing: of an Embargo. .",'■'. ,, • .- 

The bitterness of party spirit during this time ra- 
ffed with some violence, and it interrupted, in some 
degree, that general harmony which it is always im- 
portant to the welfare of our union to cultivate. 
Trade and commerce progressed with great rapidity. 
The European nations, being, at war with each other, 



334 

and the United States, remaining neutral, our ves- 
sels carried to Europe the produce of our own coun- 
try, and the produce of other countries. This is 
commonly called the carrying trade, and was very 
profitable to our citizens. After the year 1807, the 
commercial restraints laid by France by her Berlin 
and Milan decrees, and by Great Britain by her Or- 
ders in Council, began to curtail our trade, and the 
Embargo, laid by our Government at the close of 
the year, interrupted it still more. — The Arts and 
Manufactures still progressed, and the population of 
the United States, at the close of Mr. Jefferson's ad- 
ministration, amounted to about 7,000,000. 

Madison's Administration. 

On the 4th of March, 1809, Mr. Madison was 
elected President, and continued in the office eight 
years. This period was distinguished for the Second 
War with Great Britain, When Mr. Madison en- 
tered upon his office, the state of the country was, 
in some respects, gloomy and critical. France and 
England were at war, and they issued against each 
other the most violent commercial edicts, in viola- 
tion of the laws of nations, and injurious to those 
nations who wished to remain neutral. After a se- 
ries of injurious and insulting acts on the part of the 
Government of Great Britain and its agents, the 
Government of the United States declared war 
against that power, June 18th, 1812, which contin- 
ued about three years. 

The seat of war on the land, was principally on 
the frontiers of Canada, of which province it was 
the object of the Americans to take possession. The 
war at that point continued with various success on 
the part of the Americans and British. The Amer- 
icans, however, were able to effect but little towards 
accomplishing the design of their Government. The 



335 

situation of the contending parties at the close of 
the war was nearly the same as it. was at the com- 
mencement ; on the ocean, however, it was different. 
The splendid success of the American navy in vari- 
ous engagements, raised it to a high elevation, and 
taught her proud rival a lesson which will not be 
forgotten. During Mr. Madison's Presidency, in 
1816, a National Bank was established, with a cap- 
ital of- thirty-five millions of dollars. 

Monroe's Administration. 

Mr. Monroe commenced his administration in 1817, 
under many favorable circumstances, — the country 
was fast recovering from the depression of commerce 
and a three years' war. The political feuds which 
had, since the revolution, occasioned so much ani- 
mosity, were now gradually subsiding, and there ap- 
peared in the administration a desire to remove old 
party prejudices, and to promote union among the 
people. A spirit of improvement was spreading 
throughout the country ; roads and canals were con- 
structed in various parts of the Union. The princi- 
pal events, which took place in Mr. Monroe's admin- 
istration, were — the war with the Seminole Indians 
— the passage of an act by Congress granting a pen- 
sion to the indigent officers and soldiers of the rev- 
olution — the cession of Florida to the United States 
by the Spanish Government, and the visit of Gen. 
Lafayette to the United States. 

John Q. Adams' Administration. 

Mr. Adams was elected President in 1825, and 
continued in office four years. The principal events 
during this period were — the Treaty with Columbia 
— the Panama Mission, and the death of the two 
venerable Patriarchs of the Revolution — John Ad- 
ams and Thomas Jefferson, on the fiftieth Anniver- 



336 

sary of Independence. During this period, the peo- 
ple of the United States were divided into two par- 
ties in reference to the Presidential election; one 
party desirous of retaining Mr. Adams during anoth- 
er term of office, the other upholding Gen. Andrew 
Jackson as a suitable candidate for the office of Pres- 
ident. Party spirit now raged with violence, each 
party upholding their favorite candidate and tradu- 
cing the other. Upon counting the votes, it appeared 
that a large majority were in favor of Andrew Jack- 
son; and on the 4th of March, 1829, he was induct- 
ed into the office of President of the United States, 
according to the form prescribed by the Constitution. 

Jackson's Administration. 

Gen. Jackson continued in the office of President for 
eight years. The leading measures of his adminis- 
tration were carried out with an uncommon degree 
of energy and determination. In 1832, both houses 
of Congress having passed a bill to re-charter the 
United States Bank, it was vetoed by the President, 
and not being re-passed by a majority of two-thirds, 
the bank ceased to be a national institution in 1836. 
In 1832, Congress passed a new tariff, imposing ad- 
ditional duties on foreign goods. This was consid- 
ered such a grievance by South Carolina, that a Con- 
vention was assembled, who published an "ordi- 
nance" nullifying^ or forbidding the operation of 
the tariff laws within the limits of that State. This 
act called forth a Proclamation from President Jack- 
son, stating that " such opposition must be repelled." 
Hostile preparations being made on both sides, the 
gathering storm was allayed by the passage of the 
" Compromise Act" introduced by Henry Clay, a 
warm friend of the tariff, which provided for a grad- 
ual reduction of the obnoxious duties. In 1835 
there were serious apprehensions of a war witl 



337 

France. A claim of twenty-five millions of francs 
having been acknowledged by France for spoliations 
on American commerce, but, for some reason, pay- 
ment was long delayed; measures were now pro- 
posed to enforce payment, which, it was feared, 
would cause a war between the two nations. Hap- 
pily, all difficulties were amicably settled. In 1835, 
the national debt was extinguished, and, in 1836, 
several millions of surplus revenue remained in the 
treasury. 

Van Bueen's Administeation. 

Martin Van Buren, the eighth President of the 
United States, was inaugurated March 4th, 1837, 
and continued President for four years. The remo- 
val of the deposits from the United States Bank, by 
President Jackson, who caused them to be deposited 
in the State banks, gave these institutions great fa- 
cilities for lending money. Speculations were en- 
couraged. This soon brought on a revulsion in bu- 
siness, and in 1837 all the banks suspended specie 
payments. In the years 1837 and 1838, difficulties 
occurred on the Canada border, known as the Cana- 
da rebellion. Considerable bodies of Americans and 
Canadians assembled at different points on the fron- 
tiers, to aid the Canadians to achieve their indepen- 
dence. A party invaded Canada at Prescott ; they 
were soon surrounded by superior numbers, and for- 
ced to surrender ; their leaders were hung, and oth- 
ers were transported. The Florida war with the 
Seminoles prevailed at this time, and in 1837 it was 
estimated that nearly nine thousand men were en- 
gaged in the contest with the Indians, which contin- 
ued till 1845. The Sub-treasury bill, designed for 
the safe-keeping of the public money, was regarded 
as the great financial measure of Mr. Van Buren's 
administration. 

29 



338 



Harrison's Administration. 

Oi/the 4th of March, 1841, William Henry Har- 
rison was inaugurated President, in the presence of 
an unusually large assemblage at the Capitol in 
Washington. The preceding political contest, by 
which Gen. Harrison was elevated to the Presidency, 
was one of the most exciting which has taken place 
in this country. The trying scenes of financial diffi- 
culties through which the country was then passing, 
and the " experiments on the currency," furnished 
the opponents of the Government a theme by which 
their measures were denounced. Gen. Harrison re- 
ceived two hundred and thirty-four votes, while Mr. 
Van Buren received only sixty. John Tyler was 
elected Vice President. President Harrison died on 
the 4th of April, 1841, just one month after he had 
taken the oath of office. 

Tyler's Administration. 

On the death of Gen. Harrison, John Tyler, the 
Vice President, became acting President of the Uni- 
ted States. During the first year of his administra- 
tion, the Sub-treasury bill was repealed, and a gen- 
eral bankrupt law was passed. In 1842, an import- 
ant treaty, adjusting the dispute in relation to the 
north-eastern boundary of the United States, was 
negociated at Washington between Mr. Webster, on 
the part of the United States, and Lord Ashburton, 
on the part of Great Britain. The most important 
political event which took place during Mr. Tyler's 
administration, was that which related to the sub- 
ject of the annexation of Texas, formerly a province 
of Mexico. In the year 1844, the first electric tele- 
graph, the invention of Professor Morse, was com- 
pleted in the United States. It extended from Wash- 
ington to Baltimore. 



339 
Polk's Administration. 

James K. Polk, the tenth President of the United 
States, was inaugurated March 4th, 1845. The Tex- 
an government having approved, by Resolution, on 
July 4th, 1845, the Joint resolution of the Ameri- 
can Congress in favor of annexation, Texas became 
that day one of the States of the American Union. 
The vast territory between the Rocky mountains 
and the Pacific, was for some time a subject of dis- 
pute between the United States and Great Britain. 
In 1818, it was agreed that each nation should enjoy 
equal privileges for ten years. This agreement was 
renewed in 1827, for an indefinite time, with the stip- 
ulation, that either party might rescind it, by giving 
twelve months notice. This notice was given in by 
the United States in 1846. Great Britain claimed a 
part of the territory. The boundary was finally set- 
tled at the parallel of 49° North latitude, and in 
1848, a territorial government was established. 

The annexation of Texas, as had been predicted, 
caused an immediate rupture with Mexico. In July, 
1845, Gen. Taylor was sent to the frontiers of Texas, 
to repel the hostile movements of the Mexicans. 
While marching towards Matamoras, he was attack- 
ed by a large body of Mexicans, and the battles of 
Palo Alto, and Resaca de la Palma, ensued, which 
proved victorious. On Sept. 21, 1846, Gen. Taylor 
attacked Monterey, which, on the 24th surrendered. 
About the same time, divisions under Wool, Kear- 
ney, Fremont, and others, penetrated into New Mex- 
ico, and California, and took possession of some of 
the principal towns. On Feb. 2 2d, Gen. Taylor 
gained a decisive victory at Buena Vista over the 
Mexicans under Santa Anna. 

In March, 1847, Gen. Winfield Scott, who was ap- 
pointed to the chief command of the U. S. forces in 



340 

Mexico, invested Vera Cruz by sea and land, and on 
March 29th, the city and Castle of San Juan d'Ul- 
loa, were captured, with 5,000 prisoners, and 500 
pieces of cannon. Scott now marched for the Capi- 
tal, and after several severe but victorious contests 
with the Mexicans, he, on Sept. 16th, entered the 
city of Mexico in triumph. On Feb. 2d, 1848, the 
Mexican Congress concluded a treaty of peace with 
the Commissioners of the United States, in which 
the United States agreed to pay Mexico fifteen mill- 
ions of dollars for the territory acquired by con- 
quest. By this treaty, New Mexico and California, 
with its gold mines, became territories of the Uni- 
ted States. 

Taylor's Administration. 

On the 5th of March, 1849, (the 4th being Sunday,) 
Zachary Taylor was inaugurated President, in which 
office he remained but sixteen months, being removed 
by death July 9, 1850, after an illness of four days. 
At the time President Taylor entered upon the du- 
ties of his office, thousands of adventurers were flock- 
ing into California in search of gold, which had been 
discovered at Capt. Sutter's mill, on a branch of Sa- 
cramento river, in 1847. The inhabitants being de- 
sirous of forming a State government, adopted a 
Constitution which excluded slavery forever from its 
limits. This article caused violent debates in Con- 
gress, and created bitter feeling between the people 
of the North and South. In Jan. 1850, Henry Clay, 
as peace maker, offered in the Senate, a plan of com- 
promise, to meet the difficulty. A bill for this pur- 
pose was discussed for four months, and in Septem- 
ber, the famous " Compromise Act" of 1850, became 
a law. The most important stipulations were, — 1. 
That California should be admitted as a free State. 
2 and 3. That the vast country east of California, 



341 

with Utah, JVeic Mexico, &c., should be made terri- 
tories or States, without any stipulations with regard 
to slavery, and that ten millions of dollars should be 
paid Texas for the purchase of her claims. 4. That 
the slave-trade in the District of Columbia should 
be abolished. 5. A law providing for the arrest and 
return of all slaves escaping to the northern or free 
States. 

Fillmore's Administration. 

Millard Fillmore, the Vice President, according 
to the Constitution, succeeded Gen. Taylor in the 
Presidency, and on July 10th, 1850, took the oath of 
office. In the Spring of 1851, Congress changed the 
Post Office laws, so that by paying three cents post- 
age, a letter not weighing more than half an ounce, 
was carried to any part of the United States, not 
exceeding three thousand miles. 

During the summer of 1851, considerable excite- 
ment was produced by the movements for the pur- 
pose of revolutionizing and seizing the island of 
Cuba. In Aug., 1851, General Lopez, a native of 
Cuba, sailed from New Orleans, and landed on the 
northern coast of Cuba, with nearly five hundred 
men. Lopez proceeded towards the interior. Col. 
Crittenden and his party were captured, carried to 
Havana, and shot. Lopez was attacked, and his 
men dispersed. He was arrested, taken to Havana, 
and executed by the garote, Sept. 1st, 1851. 

In December, 1851, Louis Kossuth, the exiled 
Governor of Hungary, arrived in New York, from 
England, on a mission to the United States in quest 
of aid for his native country. His great efforts in 
behalf of freedom, and his extraordinary talents as 
a writer and orator, secured for him the greatest at- 
tention and respect, both in Great Britain and Amer- 
ica. 

29* 



342 

Pierce's Administration. 

Franklin Pierce, the fourteenth President of the 
United States, was inaugurated March 4th, 1853, 
and continued in office for four years. In 1853 and 
1854, an expedition under Commodore Perry was 
sent to Japan, for the purpose of opening a trade 
with that populous country. A previous attempt, 
in 1846, had been made by the U. S. Government, 
which proved unsuccessful ; but at this time a treaty 
was effected, which opened the ports of Japan to the 
commerce of the civilized world. 

In Jan., 1854, Senator Douglass introduced into 
Congress a bill, called the " Kansas-Nebraska-bill" 
which occasioned great agitation on the subject of 
slavery. A petition against the measure was pre- 
sented to the Senate, signed by three thousand cler- 
gymen, principally of New England. Much discus- 
sion was had upon it, but Congress finally passed 
the bill in May, 1854. Its passage evidently ren- 
dered the Missouri Compromise Act of no avail, as 
it opened the territories to the introduction of sla- 
very. A most desperate struggle between the pro- 
slavery and anti-slavery parties for the political as- 
cendency, now ensued. The Massachusetts Legisla- 
ture incorporated an Emigrant Aid Society. This 
movement excited the friends of slavery to action, 
and in Missouri, combinations under the name of 
" Blue Lodges " " Sons of the South," were formed, 
to extend their institutions. These parties soon 
came in contact, civil war raged, and a " reign of 
terror" prevailed. These troubles continued for 
several years, till the free State party gained the as- 
cendancy. 

Buchanan's Administration. 

James Buchanan, the fifteenth President of the 
United States, was inaugurated March 4, 1857. The 



343 



political contest which preceded Mr Butarfs 

election was hitter; the ™«\ o{ r th °^t™s 
r>artv who had nominated John C. Fremont, was, 
S a No y 'mme slave territory." TMs -"sed the oppos, 
tion of the Slave States, who wished to extend their 
Institutions. At one time the result seemed doubt 
«,i onrl r>renarations were made in several States, 
S«rXlS», to take immediate steps 
fo y r orecipftating the secession of their States, in the 
event ofFremSnt's election Notwithstanding the 
election of Mr. Buchanan , the ^ of the South 
beo-an to discover, that all ttieir scnem^ 

cE^were stthtmmcn, devoted.to the seces- 
^on causJ Taking advantage of their position as 
officeTof the U. I Government, they sent great 

asfiwass , saE?S5 

^ Ld After the announcement of his success, 
t conspira^rrwent eagerly to work, to consum- 
mate their designs against the Union. 



344 

Lincoln's Administration. 

Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of the 
United States, was inaugurated March 4th, 1861. 
He left his home at Springfield, Illinois, on the 11th 
of February, by special trains, stopping at all the 
principal cities on the route to Washington. Threats 
had been made, at the south and elsewhere, that the 
new President would never be inaugurated. When 
the President elect arrived at Harrisburg, Pa., he 
received such information, that an attempt would be 
made on his life when he arrived at Baltimore, that he 
passed through that place in disguise, in advance 
of the time expected, and by this means, probably, 
saved his life. The most important events in the 
history of this country, took place during the ad- 
ministration of Mr. Lincoln. The Secession War, 
which cost the lives of half a million of men, is the 
prominent event of the century, and the Emancipa- 
tion Act will, eventually, break the chains of slavery 
throughout the world, and transmit the name of 
Lincoln to future generations. 

Mr. Lincoln was re-elected to the Presidency by an overwhelm- 
ing majority of votes, and was inaugurated' March 4th, 1865. 
On April 1 4th, he fell by a pistol shot, by the hand of Booth, 
the assassin. On April 15th, 1865, Andrew Johnson, the Vice 
President, was inducted into the Presidential office, by taking 
the oath prescribed by the Constitution. 



345 




[/ Guide.] 

MAINE, 

The morning sun-beams earliest light on thee ; 

Far eastward lies thy cold and rugged shore : 
Thy wealth lies in the forest, and the sea ; 

Thy sons they range the ocean o'er. 

Maine was originally granted by James I. to the 
Plymouth Company, in 1606, by whom it was transfer- 
red to Mason and Gorges in 1624. This territory was 
afterwards purchased by Massachusetts, and became 
connected with that State in all its political relations, 
till it became an independent State in 1820. 

While belonging to Massachusetts it was called the 
" Province," or " District of Maine." It received its 
name as early as 1633, in compliment to Henrietta 
Maria of France, wife of Charles I. king of England, who 
was a possessor of Maine, a district, or department in 
France. 

The celebrated Capt. John Smith, so well known in 
the annals of Virginia, made an unsuccessful attempt to 
settle this part of the country as early as 1614. The 
first permanent lodgment of the whites within the State, 
was made at York, by the Plymouth Colony, in 1630. 
The first settlers were men of energy and perseverance. 
10 



346 



By them, and their sons, the stately forest trees are con- 
verted into an article of commerce, and their fisheries 
have created a hardy race of seamen. 

Maine, at the period of its first settlement, was greatly 
harrassed by the hostile Indians. In 1692, York and 
Wells were attacked by the French and Indians. From 
(his time till about 1702, was one continued scene of 
bloodshed, burning and destroying. The inhabitants 
suffered much for several years before and after the year 
1724. As late as 1744, and 1748. persons were cap- 
tured and killed by the Indians. 

During these wars, the Indians in the French interest, 
were encouraged by the Catholic missionaries from Can- 
ada, to make aggressions upon the English, whom they 
considered as intruders upon the country. One of these 
was Father Sebastian Ralle, a French Jesuit, a man 
of learning and address, much endeared to the Indians 
by his religious labors among them for a space of thirty- 
seven years. He resided at Norridgewock, with a tribe 
of that name, who had a church at this place. He was 
killed in an expedition of the English against the Indians 
in this place, in 1724. After the English had retired, 
the Indians found the mangled body of their beloved 
pastor near the cross erected in the village. A monu- 
ment was erected to his memory in 1833, by Bishop 
Fenwick, of Boston. 

Maine comprises about one-half of the area of New- 
England. Its northern boundary extends some distance 
northward of Quebec. It was through the vast wilder- 
ness in the north-western section of this State, that Gen. 
Arnold, with 1,100 men, made his celebrated expedition 
against Quebec in 1775. By a partial construction of 
the treaty of 1783, nearly a third part of Maine was 
claimed by Great Britain. In 1842, a treaty was estab- 
lished, by which the British claims were much restricted. 



:m 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 

Old " Granite State," thy snowy mountains stand, 
And make of thee a Western Switzerland : 
Thy sons are hardy, brave ; firm for the right ; 
Thy Sun is clear, and shines both fair and bright. 

The early history of New Hampshire is closely con- 
nected with that of Massachusetts. John Mason, Fer- 
dinand Gorges, and others, having obtained of the Ply- 
mouth Company several grants of land north of Massa- 
chusetts, in 1623, sent from England a few persons to 
begin a settlement. A part landed at Little Harbor, on 
the west side of Piscataqua river, and built the first house, 
which was called "Mason's Hall." The remainder 
proceeded up the river and began the settlement of Do- 
ver. 

The first settlers followed fishing and commerce, as 
their trading business, and their settlements increased 
but slowly. The first towns, for a period, remained dis- 
tinct and independent communities. In 1641, these little 
republics, distrusting their abilities to protect themselves, 
formed a coalition with Massachusetts, and long remained 
a part of that Colony. 

In 1679, a decree was passed, that New Hampshire 
should be a separate Province, to be ruled by a President 



348 

and Council, who were to be appointed by the king. 
The first assembly, consisting of eleven members, met 
at Portsmouth, in 1680. The peace of the colony was 
long disturbed by the heirs of Mason, who claimed the 
soil as their property. 

New Hampshire suffered much from the Indian wars. 
Dover was surprised in 1689. Maj. Waldron, and 
twenty-three others, were murdered. From this period 
to the close of the French wars, the inhabitants were 
often harrassed by the incursions of the savages. Many 
were killed, and others carried into captivity. 

In 1719, one hundred families, mostly Presbyterians 
from the north of Ireland, settled the town of London- 
derry. They introduced the foot spinning-wheel, the 
manufacture of linen, and the culture of potatoes. In 
1740, a long and tedious controversy between Massa- 
chusetts and New Hampshire, respecting their divisional 
line, was decided in England, by the Lords in council. 
New Hampshire declared her independence of Massa- 
chusetts in June, 1776, and the same year formed a tem- 
porary government. Its present Constitution was adop- 
ted in 1792. 

New Hampshire is frequently called the Granite State, 
from the vast quantities of that rock found within its ter- 
ritory. The granite is of a superior quality, and much 
of it is quarried and transported to other States. The 
State is also called the Switzerland of America, on ac- 
count of the salubrity of its climate ; its wild and pictu- 
resque landscapes, and particularly its celebrated White 
Mountains, the highest elevation in New England, and 
covered with snow for ten months in the year. The 
scenery, as viewed from Mount Washington, one of the 
highest of these elevations, is sublime and beautiful. 



349 




VERMONT. 

" Green Mountain State," thy nardy sons are free, 
For " Freedom, Independence," honor bright : 

Changeless as Evergreen, thy fame shall be — 
Strong to defend ; firm to sustain the right. 

Vermont derives its name from the Green Mountains, 
which extend through it. Its territory was first explored 
by the French, from Canada. The name is derived from 
the Green Mountains : verd, in the French language, 
signifies green, and mont, mountain. They are so called 
on account of the numerous evergreens with which they 
are covered. 

The first settlement in this State was commenced at 
Fort Dummer, in the south-eastern part, in 1724. On 
the other side of the State, a fort was built, at Crown 
Point, in 1731. This part of the country became the 
seat of war, and was constantly exposed to the incursions 
of the French and Indians, which of course prevented its 
early settlement. 

After the reduction of Canada, Vermont was rapidly 

settled, by emigrants principally from Connecticut, who, 

following the course of the river, located themselves on 

its banks in the limit* of Vermont and New Hampshire. 

30 



350 

So rapid was the progress, that during the year 1761, not 
less than sixty townships, of six miles square, were 
granted on the west of Connecticut River. 

When Gen. Burgoyne lay at Fort Edward, in 1777, 
he learnt that a quantity of stores had been collected at 
Bennington by the Americans. To destroy these, as 
well as to intimidate the patriots and animate the royal- 
ists, he sent forward Col. Baum, with 500 men and 100 
Indians. Col. Breyman was sent to reinforce him, but 
did not arrive in time. On the 16th of August, Gen. 
Stark, of New Hampshire, with about 800 militia men. 
most of whom were denominated " Green Mountair 
Boys," attacked Baum in his entrenched camp, and kill- 
ed or took prisoners nearly the whole of his men. At 
the close of the action, Col. Breyman arrived; he con- 
tinued the contest till sunset, and under cover of night 
was able to effect his retreat. 

New York and New Hampshire both laid claim to 
Vermont till 1764, when New- York obtained a grant 
from the British Parliament, which put an end to the 
claims of New Hampshire. New York now attempted 
to enforce her jurisdiction, but this was resisted by the 
inhabitants. They claimed to be independent both of 
New York and New Hampshire, and organized them- 
selves in armed bands, having Colonels Ethan Allen and 
Seth Warner, both brave and resolute men, as their 
leaders. 

This controversy continued till the breaking out of the 
Revolutionary war, when the attention of all parties was 
turned to a more important object than that which rela- 
ted to titles of lands. In 1777, the people of Vermont 
declared themselves independent, and organized a gov- 
ernment for themselves. In 1790, all controversy with 
New York was amicably adjusted, and in 1791, Vermont 
was admitted in the Union. Her present Constitution 
was adopted in 1793. 



351 




[By the sword he seeks peace under Liberty.] 

MASSACHUSETTS. 

Old Massachusetts, where the Pilgrim band 
First found a home, and where their ashes lie ; 

Foremost in Freedom's ranks thy children stand, 
On History's page thy fame shall never die. 

The first settlement in Massachusetts, was commenced 
by the Colony at Plymouth, in Dec, 1620. The Colo- 
nists were originally from the north of England, and were 
called Puritans, for their uncommon zeal in endeavoring 
to preserve the purity of Divine worship. Being perse- 
cuted by their enemies, they fled to Holland, and from 
thence, after a few years, they sailed for America. Be- 
fore they landed, they formed themselves into " a body 
police," and chose Mr. John Carver their first Governor. 
The whole company who landed, consisted of 101 souls, 
forty-six of which number died before the ensuing spring. 

The territory of Massachusetts, for many years com- 
prised two distinct colonies, "Plymouth Colony," and 
the " Colony of Massachusetts Bay." In 1692, theso 
colonies were united under one charter, and received the 
name of Massachusetts, from an Indian tribe so called, 
who lived around the vicinity of Massachusetts Bay. 
The word Massachusetts, signifies, it is said, in the Indi- 
an language, Blue Hills. 



In 1675, commenced " &liig Philip's war," the most 
destructive Indian war, ever waged upon the Infant Col- 
onies. It was terminated by the death of Philip, Aug., 
1676. Massachusetts was the greatest sufferer. In the 
French War, her frontiers were ravaged by the French 
and Indians from Canada. In 1704, Deerfield was 
burnt, and in 1708, Haverhill was surprised. In 1692, 
a great excitement took place, on account of the sup- 
posed prevalence of witchcraft in Salem and its vicinity. 
In 1745, by the exertions of Massachusetts, a force was 
raised which captured from the French the strong for- 
tress of Louisburg, on Cape Breton. 

The great drama of the American Revolution, first 
opened in Massachusetts : the first blood was shed at 
Lexington, April 19th, 1775. The battle of Bunker 
Hill took place, June 17th following. On May 17th, 
1776, the British troops evacuated Boston. Massachu- 
setts furnished more men and money, than any of the 
other colonies, in carrying forward the war of the Rev- 
olution. In 1780, the Constitution of the government of 
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts went into operation. 

In 1786, an insurrection took place, generally known 
as " Shays Insurrection." It appears to have arisen 
from a number of causes, the most prominent of which 
were, a decay of trade, scarcity of money, inability of 
individuals to pay their debts, a relaxation of manners 
ever attendant on war, and heavy taxes. The leader of 
the malcontents, was Daniel Shays ; who, collecting a 
force, endeavored to stop the proceedings of the civil 
courts. On Jan. 25th, Shays appeared at Springfield, at 
the head of 1100 men, evidently for the purpose of seiz- 
ing the Arsenal at that place. Gen. Shepherd, who was 
appointed with a sufficient force to guard this place, 
warned Shays of his danger, should he attempt to ap- 
proach. This was unheeded. Gen. Shepherd then or- 
dered his men to fire. Three of the insurgents were 
killed. The remainder fled, and the rebellion was effec- 
tually crushed. 



303 




RHODE ISLAND. 

Though small in size, thy soul is large in thee ; 
All " sorts of consciences" find liberty : 
Williams, thy founder, in thy wilds first trod, 
And gave to all " freedom to worship God." 

Rhode Island is the least, in extent of territory, of 
any State in the Union ; but in proportion to its number 
of inhabitants, its resources are greater. It owes its 
first settlement to Roger Williams, who was banished 
from Massachusetts on account of his religious senti- 
ments. Mr. Williams commenced his settlement at 
Providence in 1636. The State embraces what were 
once called the " Rhode Island and Providence Planta- 
tions." The island of Rhode Island, from which the 
State derives its name, was so called from its fancied 
resemblance to the ancient Grecian Island of Rhodes. 

The Narragansett Indians, one of the powerful tribes 
in New England, had their seat in Rhode Island. In 
King Philip War, this tribe was totally ruined by the 
destruction of their strong hold in Dec. 19th, 1675. 
Gov. Winslow, with a force of 1000 men from the col- 
onies of Massachusetts, Plymouth and Connecticut, after 
wading through the snow attacked their fort, and after a 



354 

desperate resistance, it was fired and consumed. In this 
celebrated swamp jight, about one thousand Indian war- 
riors perished. The finishing blow was given to the 
Indian power in New England, by the death of Philip, 
who was killed near Mount Hope, by a friendly Indian, 
August, 1676. 

When the New England colonies formed their mem- 
orable confederacy, Rhode Island applied to be admitted 
a member. Plymouth objected, asserting that her settle- 
ments were within her boundaries. The commissioners 
decided she might enjoy all the advantages of the con- 
federacy, if she would submit to the jurisdiction of Ply- 
mouth. This she declined, preferring independence to 
the benefits of a dependent union. 

In 1644, Mr. Williams obtained a patent for the territory, and 
permission for the inhabitants to institute a government for them- 
elves. In 1663, a new charter was granted, which formed the 
basis of government till 1842, when the present government was 
adopted. During the Revolutionary war, Rhode Island rendered 
efficient aid. She gave liberty to a number of hundreds of slaves, 
on condition they would enter the Revolutionary army. About 
300 of them, under the command of Col. Chistopher Greene, de- 
feated the British in their attack on Mud Island, in the Delaware, 
in 1777. 

The original Charter of Rhode Island, confined the right of 
suffrage, or voting, principally to the landholders. When it be- 
came a manufacturing State, this was considered a grievance. In 
January, 1841, the Legislature, upon the petition of the " Suffrage" 
party, consented to have a convention called to form a new State 
Constitution. This, however, did not satisfy the Suffrage party, 
who issued a call for a convention a month previous to that author- 
ized by the State. The different conventions met ; each foruied 
a Constitution, which they submitted to the people. The one sub- 
mitted by the Charter party was rejected, while the Suffrage party 
declared theirs adopted and established as the supreme law of the 
State. Both parties chose their State officers, Gov. King at the 
head of the Charter party, and T. W. Dorr at the head of the 
other. After a considerable display of military force by both par- 
ties, most of the officers chosen by the Suffrage party resigned 
their situations, and this threatening storm passed over without 
bloodshed. Dorr was tried for treason, and condemned to hard 
labor for life, but was liberated in 1844, by the Legislature, aiW 
he remained in prison for about one year. 



355 




[He who transplanted still sustains.] 

CONNECTICUT. 

« He who transplanted thee, will still sustain ;" 
Thy patriot shoots are spreading far and wide : 

Fair Science, Freedom, follow in thy train ; 
For Liberty thy sons have bled and died. 

At the first period of its history, Connecticut consisted 
of two colonies, that of Connecticut, and that of New 
Haven. Connecticut Colony was first settled by a com- 
pany of emigrants from Massachusetts, who, in lo3o, 
psssed through the wilderness, with Messrs. Hooker and 
Stone, their ministers, at their head. New Haven Col- 
onv was settled by Rev. Mr. Davenport, Mr. Eaton and 
others, in 1638. These two Colonies were united under 
one government in 1662, by a Charter from Charles It. 
This Charter conferred unusual privileges. It was 
obtained by Gov. Winthrop, of Connecticut, who arrived 
in England at an auspicious period for the colony, as a 
number of its friends were in high office at court. Mr. 
Winthrop had " an extraordinary ring,' which had been 
given his grandfather by King Charles I., which he pre- 
sented to the king. This, it is said, exceedingly pleased 
his majesty, as it had been once the property of a father 
most dear to him. The New Haven Colony was, at the 



55r> 

first, much dissatisfied with their union with Connecticut, 
as they feared it would mar the" order and purity of their 
churches, and have a bad effect on the civil administra 
tion. In New Haven Colony, no person could vote at 
the freemen's meetings, unless he was a member of the 
church ; but in Connecticut, all orderly persons, possess 
ing a freehold to a certain amount, could have this priv 
ilege. 

This Charter was suspended in 1686. Sir Edmund 
Andross, called the " Tyrant of New England" endeav- 
ored to take it away, but it was secreted in a large hoi 
low oak, still standing in Hartford, known by the name 
of " Charter Oak." While the other colonies were suf- 
fering under the domination of Royal Governors, Connec- 
ticut remained a free and independent community, being 
ever governed by rulers of her own choice. 

At the time of the first settlement of Connecticut, the Colony be- 
came involved in war with the Pequots ; one of the most terrible 
and warlike tribes in New England. By a most daring attack, led 
on by Capt. Mason, these Indians were utterly defeated and ruined. 
In the Revolutionary war, Connecticut was one of the foremost in 
the struggle, and was lavish of her blood and treasure in the cause. 
Fairfield, Norwalk, and New London, were laid in ashes, and 
Hale, Ledyard, Wooster and others, sacrificed their lives for Amer- 
ican freedom. 

Connecticut, by her Charter limits, extended from Narraganset 
river on the east, to the South Sea on the west. In 1774, a settle- 
ment at Wyoming in Pennsylvania, was formed into a town called 
Westmoreland, which sent representations to the Assembly of 
Connecticut. After the Revolution, it was decided that Connec- 
ticut must relinquish her claims to any territory lying within the 
limits of Pennsylvania. She however claimed the lands west, 
within the range of her northern and southern boundaries. In 
1786, Connecticut ceded to Congress all her claims to western 
territory, except a tract 120 miles in length, now in the limits of 
Ohio, still called the Connecticut, or Western Reserve. The pro- 
ceeds from the sale of these lands constitutes the School Fund of 
Connecticut. Though now small in extent and population, is sec- 
ond to none of her sister states, in the virtue, genius and enterprise 
of her sons. She has furnished many distinguished men, and some 
of the most powerful states in this Union, are largely indebted to 
her, for the elements of their greatness and prosperity. 



357 




[More Elevated.] 

NEW YORK. 

" Excelsior," " higher still " thy course shall be, 
The motto on thy shield foretells thy fame ; 

In commerce, wealth, and heaven born Liberty, 
" The Empire State " thyself, thou dost proclaim. 

The first settlement of New York was made by the 
Dutch in 1614, on the present sites of the cities of New 
York and Albany. New York was then named New 
Amsterdam, and Albany Fort Orange. The Dutch, in 
1629, established a colonial government for this part of 
the country, calling it New Netherlands. In 1664, 
Charles II. granted to his brother, the Duke of York, 
afterwards James II., a patent of a tract of country com- 
prising the present states of New York and New Jersey. 
The same year it was taken from the Dutch and named 
" New York." In 1673, the territory was re-taken by 
the Dutch, but soon restored to the English by treaty. 

During the French and Indian and Revolutionary 
wars, the territory of New York became the theatre of 
many important military trensactions. In 1690, the 
French and Indians from Canada, in the depth of winter 
burnt Schenectady and massacred the inhabitants. The 
battles of Lake George and Ticonderoga, the capitula- 
lation of Fort William Henry, the operations at Os- 



S58 

wego, Niagara, and other posts on the frontiers, are no- 
ted events in American history. The celebrated confed- 
eracy of the " Six Nations," consisting at first office, then 
of six Indian tribes, was located within the limits of New 
York.* 

In the Revolutionary period, the Americans were 
forced to abandon the city of New York, which was ta- 
ken possession of by the British troops, in Sept., 1776, 
and occupied by them till the " evacuation," Nov. 25th, 
1783, when Gen. Washington marched in with the 
American troops. The battles on Long Island, at White 
Plains, capture of Fort Washington, treason of Arnold, 
storming of Stony Point, and the surrender of Burgoyne, 
all within the limits of the State, are prominent events 
in the Revolution. 

The first constitution of state government was adopt- 
ed in 1777, the second in 1822, the present one in 1846. 
New York was the seat of the Federal Government du- 
ring the first year of its existence. During the last war 
with Great Britain, her territory again became the the- 
atre of important military operations. She has pursued 
a wise policy in sustaining objects of public utility, and 
now ranks as the " Empire State" being the first in 
wealth, resources, commerce and population. 

* The Iroquois, or the confederated tribe called the Five Na- 
tions, were in possession of most of the territory within the limits 
of New York, at the time of its first settlement by the Dutch. The 
confederacy consisted originally of five nations, the Mohawks, (the 
leading tribe,) the Oneidas, the Onondagas, the Cayugas, and the 
Senecas. In 1712, they were joined by the Tuscaroras, a tribe 
driven by the Carolinians from the frontiers of Virginia. After 
this, the confederacy of the Iroquois was called the " Six Na- 
tions." At the time of the first European settlements, they were 
estimated in number, from twenty to twenty-five thousand. At 
the time of the Revolutionary war, all these tribes, with the excep- 
tion of the Oneidas, took up the hatchet against the Americans. 
Their principal leader was Col. Joseph Brandt, a chief of the Mo- 
hawk tribe, who was educated under the care of Dr. Wheelock, 
first President of Dartmouth College. He held a commission un- 
der the British government, and died in Canada in 1807. 



359 




NEW JERSEY. 

Thine are the battle-fields for Freedom won ; 

Thine is the soil that patriot blood hath stained ; 
The Storm of War that swept o'er thee has gone, 

And left thy noble sons the victory gained. 

It is believed that the first settlement in the limits cf 
New Jersey, was commenced at Bergen, about the year 
1628, by a number of Danes, or Norwegians, who ac- 
companied the Dutch colonists who came over to New 
Netherlands. In 1623, the Dutch West India Company 
dispatched Capt. Mey, with a company of settlers, to the 
Delaware. Mey entered Delaware Bay, and gave his 
name to its northern cape, [Cape May,] and built a forti- 
fication a few miles below Camden, calling it Fort 
Nassau. In 1637, a colony of Swedes purchased lands 
on both sides of the Delaware, and began settlements. 
The first English settlement in New Jersey, appears to 
have been made at Salem, in 1641, by persons from 
New Haven, Conn. 

In 1664, the Duke of York made a grant of New- 
Jersey to Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret. It 
was granted to these proprietors for ten shillings, and an 
annual rent of " one pepper corn," to " be paid on the 
day of the nativity of St. John the Baptist, if legally 
demanded." These two proprietors formed a constitu- 



360 

tion, gave liberty of conscience, and appointed Carteret 
Governor. It is said that the territory was named New 
Jersey in compliment to Carteret, who defended the 
Island of Jersey against the Long Parliament during the 
civil wars. 

The Province was divided into two parts, East and West Jer- 
sey. In 1677, Lord Berkley, who owned West Jersey, becoming 
dissatisfied, sold his right or interest to John Fenwick and Edward 
Byllings, of the Society of Friends, or Quakers. Many persons 
of this religious faith emigrated to this part of New Jersey soon 
afterwards. In 1702, the proprietors surrendered their right of 
government to the English Crown, and Queen Anne established a 
royal government, which continued till the Revolution. 

New Jersey was the seat of war during the bloody struggle be- 
tween Great Britain and the Colonies. Some of the most impor- 
tant battles were fought within her limits. Her proportionate 
losses in men and property, was greater than any of her sister 
States, and her sufferings in the cause of American freedom entitle 
her to the gratitude of her sister States. 

New Jersey was originally settled by the Lenni Lenape, or 
Dclaioare Indians, as they are usually called. In 1832, a grant 
of $2000 was obtained from the Legislature of New Jersey, by 
B. S. Calvin, an aged Indian representing the Delaware tribe, for 
some claims they had against the State. Their claim was nobly 
advocated by Mr. Southard, and at the close of his speech he re- 
marked : " That it was a proud fact in the history of New Jersey, 
that every foot of her soil had been obtained from the Indians by 
fair and voluntary purchase ; a fact that no other State in the 
Union can boast of." The sum that Calvin received was not 
large, but it was all he asked for, and considering the nature of 
the claim, it mast be regarded as an act of beneficence as much 
as of justice. The councils of Barclay and of Penn, (the former 
a Governor, and the latter a proprietor of the colony,) seemed to 
have influenced their successors, and it is with feelings of honest 
pride that a Jerseyman may advert to the fact, that the soil of his 
State is unstained by a battle with the Indians, and that every 
acre has been fairly purchased. 



861 




PENNSYLVANIA. 

Land of immortal Penn, of Love and Peace, 
Amid thy sister States thy fame is bright, 

And still with coming centuries, shall increase, 
While firm and true thy sona maintain the Right. 

The Dutch appear to have been the first who endeav. 
ored to explore, and colonize the country, lying on both 
sides of Delaware Bay and River. In 1631, the Swedes 
laid out the present town of Newcastle on the Delaware, 
and at the same time, it is believed they constructed a 
number of small forts, or block houses, within the present 
limits of Pennsylvania. One of the forts was on Ten- 
cum Island, in Delaware river. This they called New 
Gottemburg, and Printz, the Sweedish governor, had a 
plantation on the island. 

In 1655, Gov. Stuyvesant, the Dutch Governor at 
New Amsterdam, [New York,] sent a force of 700 men 
against the Swedes on the Delaware, who, being unpre- 
pared for resistance, surrendered. The English con- 
quest was in 1664. 

In 1681, King Charles II. granted Pennsylvania to 
William Penn, in consideration of services rendered the 
crown by Admiral Penn, his father. The name com- 
pounded of Penn, and sylva, a grove of wood, was given 
by the king, and signifies literally Penn's Woods. 
31 



HG2 

In 1682, William Penn, with his colony of Friends or 
Quakers, landed on the shores of the Delaware, purchased 
the land of the natives, and laid the foundation of Phila- 
delphia, his capital. The colony was governed by depu 
ties, appointed by the Proprietors, till the commencement 
of the Revolutionary war. Penn died in 1718, leaving 
his interests in Pennsylvania, as an inheritance to his 
children. Their claim was eventually purchased by the 
Commonwealth, for £130,000 sterling. 

In 1767, Mason's and Dixon's line was drawn to mark 
the boundary between this state and Maryland ; and in 
1784, the north-western portion of this State, not being 
included in the former purchase, was bought of the Indi- 
ans. The first constitution was adopted in 1776, the 
second in 1790, and the present one in 1838. 

During the Revolutionary war, Philadelphia was the 
seat of the General Government, and it continued here 
till it was removed to Washington, in 1800. The old 
State House in which Congress sat when Independence 
was declared, is still remaining. The original bill, cast 
many years before the Revolution, still hangs in the 
town, having a remarkable inscription, "Proclaim liberty 
throughout the land, to all the inhabitants thereof. 17 Lev. 
xxv, 10. After the battle of Brandywine, Sept. 11th, 
1777, the British took possession of Philadelphia, which 
they retained till the following June. In July, 1778, the 
settlements of Wyoming, were visited by a band of tories, 
and Indians. A large portion of the men in the settle- 
ments were killed in battle ; others massacred ; the settlements were 
laid waste, and the women and children fled through the wilder- 
ness for safety. In 1794, occurred the " Whiskey Insurrection.'* 
This took place in the four western counties of Pennsylvania, 
on account of duties laid by Congress on spirits distilled in the 
United States, and upon Stills. This law bore hard upon the 
western counties, as whiskey at that period was almost their only 
article of export. An armed body of insurgents having committed 
some outrages, President Washington ordered Gov. Lee, of Mary- 
land, with a body of 1500 men, to the scene of disturbances. On 
the approach of this force, the insurgents laid down their arms, and 
promised obedience to the lawe. 



363 




DELAWARE. 

Smallest in number of the old thirteen, 

Thy soul is large for truth and freedom famed : 

The Swedes and Fins first sought thy vallies green, 
Thy southern cape, Point Paradise they named. 

Delaware is the smallest in population, and, excep 
Rhode Island, the least in extent of any State in the Un- 
ion. It was first settled by a company of Swedes and 
Fins, under the patronage of King Gustavus Adolphus. 
This company came over in 1627, and landing at Cape 
Henlopen, were so much charmed with its appearance, 
that they named it Paradise Point. It was however af- 
terwards called Cape Henlopen, from a Dutch navigator 
of that name. The Swedes purchased lands on both 
sides of the Delaware from the Indians. They called 
the country New Sweden, and the river New Swedeland 
Stream. They seated themselves at the mouth of Chris- 
tian Creek, near Wilmington. The name of Delaware 
was derived from Sir Thomas West, Lord Delaware, Gov- 
ernor of Virginia, who died on his voyage near the mouth 
of the bay. 

The Swedes being molested by the Dutch, built forts 
at Christiana, Chester and Tinicum. This latter place, 
now in the limits of Pennsylvania, was their seat of gov- 



36'4 

•rnrnent, and their Governer Printz, erected a strong fort 
of hemlock logs, and a splendid mansion for himself, called 
"Printz Hall." In 1651, the Dutch built a fort at New- 
Castle. Printz considering this to be within the Swe- 
dish territories, protested against it, and Risingh his suc- 
cessor, took the fort by stratagem, when enjoying the 
Dutch hospitality. 

Stuyvesant, the Dutch Governor of New York, in 1664, 
sailed to the Delaware, reduced all the Swedish settle- 
ments, and all the inhabitants who would not take the 
oath of allegiance to Holland, were sent to Europe. The 
wife of Pappegoia and daughter of Gov. Printz, who, not- 
withstanding all the advantages of living in her father's 
mansion, was so poor from the want of laborers, that the 
Dutch government granted her a small aid, which was 
for some time an ox and some hogs both fatted, and grain 
for bread yearly. 

After the conquest of the Dutch by the English, Wil- 
liam Penn, in 1682, purchased of the Duke of York, the 
town of New Castle, and twelve miles around it ; and by 
another purchased the land from New Castle to Cape 
Henlopen. These tracts, which constitute the present 
State of Delaware, were called the " Territories," and 
were for twenty years, governed as a part of Pennsylva- 
nia. Its first constitution was adopted in 1776, its pres- 
ent one in 1831. In the Revolutionary war, the Dela- 
ware Regiment was considered the most efficient in the 
Continental army. 



365 




MARYLAND. 

Justice, with scales and sword, is type of thee, 
And firm for Freedom mayst thou ever stand ; 

Thy founder, Baltimore, sent o'er the sea, 
And freedom kindly gave in Maryland. 

In 1632, George Calvert, a distinguished Calholic, 
(usually called Lord Baltimore,) applied to Charles I. for 
a territory for the purpose of establishing a colony. He 
was of Flemish descent, but born in England, and was 
created Baron of Baltimore, in Ireland, in 1625. Be- 
fore the grant had passed the royal seal, he died, and the 
territory was granted to Cecil Calvert, his oldest son, 
about two months aftewards. The country was named 
Maryland, in honor of Henrietta Maria, the queen con- 
sort of Charles I. 

In 1634, Leonard Calvert, first Governor of Maryland^ 
and brother of Cecil, the proprietor, with about 200 
Catholic emigrants, arrived at Point Comfort in Virginia. 
He then proceeded up Chesapeake Bay, entered the Po- 
tomac, which he sailed up twelve leagues, and came to 
an anchor under an island, which he named St. Cle- 
ment's. Here he fired his cannon, erected a cross, and 
took possession "in the name of the Savior of the world, 

and the King of England." 

31 



366 

Having peaceably purchased the land of the Indians, 
Gov. Calvert located himself at St. Mary's. By grant 
ing free toleration, and giving equal protection to all re- 
ligious denominations, Maryland became a prosperous 
colony, and an asylum for those who were persecuted for 
religious opinions in the other colonies. 

The first assembly was composed of the freemen in 
the colony. In 1639, there was a change — the House 
of Assembly was made up of representatives chosen by 
the people. In 1650, there was another change, by 
which the Legislature was divided into two houses — the 
proprietors choosing one body, the people the other. 
During the civil wars in England, the name of papist 
became so obnoxious, that the Parliament assumed the 
government of the province, and appointed a new Gov- 
ernor. 

Many changes took place in the government till the Revolution- 
ary war, when the authority fell into the hands of the people. In 
1776, they adopted the Constitution, which has been frequently 
amended. During the Revolutionary struggle, Maryland bore her 
full share of the sufferings, dangers, and privations of the contest. 
In the second war with Great Britain, after the enemy had made 
a successful attempt against Washington, they were emboldened 
to undertake an expedition against Baltimore. On the 12th of 
Sept., 1814, Gen. Ross, with 5000 men, landed at North Point, 
about fourteen miles from the city. The militia were called into 
the field; the aged and the rich voluntarily entered the ranks; and 
Gen. Striker, with 3000 men, was ordered to retard the advance o* 
the enemy. The advanced parties met about eight miles from the 
eity. In the skirmish which ensued, Gen. Ross was killed. The 
enemy, however, continued to advance, and the Americans fell 
back to their entrenchment, about two miles from the city. After 
the enemy had landed at North Point, the British fleet sailed up 
the Petapsco, and bombarded Fort McHenry and Fort Covington. 
These were bravely defended, the fleet was repulsed, and the com- 
mander of the troops finding the naval force could render no as- 
sistance, retreated to North Point, and re-embarked his forces. 
The loss of the Americans, in killed and wounded, amounted to 
one hundred and sixty-three, among whom were some of the most 
respectable citizens of Baltimore. 



367 




[Thvs always with tyrants.] 

VIRGINIA. 

" Mother of States and Statesmen," still thy fame, 
Rich with the glowing history of the past, 

Shall find amid thy country's lists a name, 
And round thy sons a fadeless halo cast. 

Virginia is distinguished as the largest, and the ear- 
liest settled of the original thirteen States. It was named 
Virginia, by Sir Walter Raleigh, in honor of Elizabeth, 
the virgin Queen of England. It is often called the 
" Old Dominion." This name appears to have been giv- 
en for her loyalty to Charles II., during the civil wars in 
England. Chesapeake, the name of the bay forming the 
eastern boundary, is an Indian word, signifying " Mother 
of Waters. 1 ' 

The " London Company," having received a grant of 
Virginia, fitted out three ships with one hundred and five 
men, to begin a settlement. They landed at Jamestown, 
May 13th, 1607, and began the first permanent English 
settlement in North America. Among these adventu- 
rers, were but four carpenters, and twelve laborers, to 
fifty four gentlemen. The colonists suffered much for 
want of provisions, and in four months from the time of 
their landing, fifty of the company had perished. By the 



368 

exertions and address of Capt John Smith, they wer« 
probably saved from destruction. 

In 1608, Capt. Newport brought over 120 persons to 
ioin the colony, with supplies of provisions. In 1609, 
five hundred men, women, and children were sent over, 
who finding the colony so much reduced by sickness and 
want, they resolved to abandon the country, and actually 
sailed for England. But the next day, meeting Lord Del- 
aware, with fresh supplies, they all returned and prose- 
cuted the planting of the country. 

In 1619, the first legislative body in this country met 
at Jamestown. As many had become dissatisfied, and 
contemplated returning to England, the London Com- 
pany, in 1620, sent over more than ninety young women, 
to be disposed of as wives to the young planters. At 
first, the price was 100 lbs. of tobacco each, but the de- 
mand was so great, that it was increased to 160 lbs. 
In 1620, a Dutch ship from the coast of Guinea, entered 
James River, and sold twenty slaves to the colonists, be- 
ing the first introduced into the country.* 

In 1624, King James dissolved the London company, assumed 
the government, and appointed a Governor. For a long period, 
Virginia experienced much trouble and difficulties with their vari- 
ous governors. The State adopted its first Constitution in 1776, 
and its present one in 1830. Virginia is distinguished for being the 
birth-place of many illustrious men, and was one of the leading 
States that distinguished themselves in the Revolutionary war. 
In 1781, the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, at York town, in this 
State, decided the Revolutionary contest. While the name of 
Washington appears on the page of American history, Virginia 
will be honored and revered among her sister States. 

* Virginia, having an extensive territory and many slaves, has 
ever been sensitive in regard to this class of her population. About 
the year 1800, a well organized insurrection of slaves in the imme- 
diate vicinity of Richmond, was mercifully prevented by the timely 
discovery of a young slave, and the sudden rise in the river render- 
ing it impassible. In 1831, Nat Turner, a fanatical slave in South- 
ampton county, moved, as he said, by certain appearances in the 
sun, in August, collected a body of 60 or 70 slaves, and commenced 
the work of indiscriminate massacre. Fifty-five men, women and 
children, were murdered before the Insurrectiou could be suppressed. 



36» 




NORTH CAROLINA. 

The old " North State," for Freedom's holy laws, 

For Liberty thy noble sons declared ; 
First to defend thy Country's injured cause, 

The glorious boon of Independence shared. 

In 1630, Charles I. granted to Sir Robert Heath, a 
territory south of Virginia, extending from the Atlantic 
Ocean, to the South Sea, by the name of Carolina. 
Between 1640 and 1650, persons suffering from religious 
persecution in Virginia, fled beyond her limits, and with- 
out license from any source, occupied that portion of 
North Carolina, north of Albemarle Sound. Their num- 
ber annually augmented, and were enabled by the fertil- 
ity of the soil, with little labor, to live in abundance, 
" They acknowledged no superior on earth, and obeyed 
no laws, but those of God and nature." 

As Sir Robert Heath had not complied with the con- 
ditions of his patent, the king, in 1633, granted the same 
territory to Lord Clarendon and seven others, and gave 
them the powers of government. To encourage emigra- 
tion, religious liberty was granted. At the request of 
the proprietors, a constitution of government was pre- 
pared by the celebrated John Locke. This instrument 
provided that the Governor or Palatine, should hoid his 



370 

office during life, and that the office should be hereditary. 
It also provided, that a hereditary nobility should b# cre- 
ated, to be called land-graves and caziques. and that, 
once in two years, representatives should be chosen by 
the free-holders. All these, with the proprietors or their 
deputies, were to meet in one assembly, which was to be 
called the Parliament, and over which the Palatine was 
to preside. This Constitution caused great disorder in 
the colony, and it was abolished in 1693. In 1729, the 
Crown purchased from the proprietors, the Carolinas, 
for £17,500 sterling, and established two separate Gov- 
ernments, called North and South Carolina. 

In 1707, a Company of French Protestants, arrived and seated 
themselves on the river Trent. In 1710, they were joined by a 
large number of Palatines, who fled from Germany on account of 
religious persecution. In 1712, the Tuscarora, and other Indians, 
formed a plot to murder all these settlers. In one night, twelve 
hundred of these savages, in separate parties, broke in upon their 
settlements, and murdered men, women, and children. Gov. Cra- 
ven, of South Carolina, dispatched nearly a thousand men, under 
Col. Barnwell, who followed the savages into a hideous wilderness, 
defeated them, and compelled them to sue for peace. The Tusca- 
roras soon after went to the north, and joined the Five nations ; 
this making the sixth tribe of that confederacy. 

About the year 1730, the soil in the interior of North Carolina, 
was found to be more fertile than that on the coast. Many emi- 
grants from the northern colonies, particularly from Pennsylvania, 
now settled in this section. In May, 1775, the "Committee of 
Safety " met in Mecklenburg County, and by a series of resolutions, 
declared themselves "free and independent" of the British Crown. 
In 1796, the State adopted its Constitution, which with some mod- 
ifications continues to the present time. 



371 




SOUTH CAROLINA 

Palmetto like, she towers above the rest, 

While with her sister States she takes her stand ; 
With chivalry inspired, with fearless breast, 
Firm in their rights, her sons together stand. 

The first settlement of this State was made by Gov. 
Sayle, at Port Royal, in 1670. The next year he found- 
ed old Charleston, on the banks of the Ashley river. In 
1684, all the freemen meeting at this place elected rep- 
resentatives to sit in Colonial Parliament, according to 
the Constitution prepared by Mr. Locke. The situation 
of Charleston being found inconvenient, the inhabitants, 
in 1680, removed to the site of the present city of 
Charleston. The first Constitution of State government 
was formed in 1775; the present one in 1790. 

Several circumstances, at this period, tended to pro- 
mote the growth of the colony. The Puritans, from 
England, came over, to avoid the licentiousness which 
disgraced the Court of Charles II. ; the Cavaliers also 
came to restore their fortunes, exhausted by the civil 
wars. The conquest of New York induced many of 
the Dutch to resort to it. The arbitrary measures of the 
French King drove many of his Protestant subjects into 
exile, some of whom came to Carolina. Many of these 
exiles were rich, industrious, and of exemplary lives. 



372 ' 

Many of the prominent settlers being Episcopalians, 
they procured the passage of a law establishing the 
Episcopal religion, and excluded dissenters from the 
Assembly. This illiberal proceeding made much trou- 
ble in the colony, till it was made void by Queen Anne. 
In 1702, Gov. Moore, of Carolina, made an unsuccess- 
ful expedition against St. Augustine, then a Spanish 
settlement. In 1706, the Spaniards from Florida, inva- 
ded Carolina ; but Gov. Johnson was so well prepared 
for them at Charleston, that they retired without doing 
much injury. 

In 1715, a distressing Indian war broke out. All the 
tribes from Florida to Cape Fear, engaged in a conspir- 
acy to extirpate the whites. Having massacred many of 
the inhabitants, Gov. Craven, at the head of 1200 men, 
marched against the savages, and defeated them at their 
camp at Saltcatchers. In 1738, occurred an alarming 
insurrection among the blacks, but it was speedily put 
down. 

In 1780, the British troops took possession of Charleston. 
South Carolina was the theatre of some of the fiercest struggles of 
the Revolution, at the Cowpens, King's Mountain, and Eutaw 
Springs. Gen. Francis Marion, one of the ablest and one of the 
most successful partizan officers in the Revolution, was born near 
Charleston. At the commencement of the conflict, he was a 
captain in Col. Moultrie's regiment. He was entrusted with a 
small force employed in harassing the British and Tories, and 
gained a number of important advantages, which procured him, in 
1780, the commission of a brigadier general. He continually sur- 
prised and captured parties of the British, and their friends, by the 
secrecy and rapidity of his movements. In 1781, he captured a 
number of forts, and forced the Briitsh to retire to Charleston. 
He received the thanks of Congress for his intrepid conduct at the 
battle of Eutaw Springs. " He seldom failed of capturing his 
enemy, and almost always did it by surprise. His courage was 
the boldest, his movements the most rapiil, his discipline severe, 
and his humanity most exemplary." 



373 




GEORGIA. 

Form George, the Sovereign, was derived thy name: 
In ihe far South thy sunny bowers of green: 

A refuge for God's poor, of old, thy fame ; 
Youngest thou art, of all the old thirteen. 

Georgia was the last settled of the thirteen original 
States. Its territory was included within the limits of 
the Carolina charter, but no settlement was made till 
after that charter was forfeited. In the reign of George 
II., several benevolent persons in England, formed a plan 
of planting a colony in this region. Their principal ob- 
ject was to seek a place for the poor people of Great 
Britain and Ireland ; also a place of refuge for the per- 
secuted Protestants of all nations. 

In 1732, a patent was obtained, conveying to twenty- 
one trustees, the territory now constituting the State of 
Georgia. These trustees having first set an example 
themselves, by largely contributing to the scheme, under- 
took also to solicit benefactions from others, and to apply 
the money towards clothing, arming, purchasing utensils 
for cultivation, and transporting such poor people as 
would consent to go over and begin a settlement. The 
Trustees managed the concerns of the colony. One of 
32 



374 

their regulations were, that the lands should not be sold 
by the owners, but should descend to their male children 
only. They also forbade the use of rum in the colony, 
and strictly prohibited the impoitation of slaves. But 
none of these regulations remained long in force. 

In Feb., 1733, James Oglethorpe, with 116 emigrants 
commenced a settlement at Savannah. Many persons 
afterwards arrived, and to each a portion of the wil 
derness was assigned. But it was soon found, that 
these emigrants, who were the refuse of cities, had 
been rendered poor by idleness, and irresolute by pov- 
erty, were not fitted to fell the forests of Georgia. The 
trustees therefore made liberal offers to all who would 
come over and settle in the colony. In consequence of 
this, more than 400 persons from Germany, Scotland, 
and Switzerland, arrived in the year 1736. The Ger 
mans settled at Ebenezer, and the Scotch at New Inver 
ness, now Darien. 

In 1736, the celebrated John Wesley, made a missionary visit to 
Georgia, and two years after, George Whitfield, another celebrated 
Methodist preacher, arrived in the colony for the purpose of estab- 
lishing an Orphan House, where poor children might be fed, clothed, 
and educated in the knowledge of Christianity. War having been 
declared against Spain, Gen. Oglethorpe, at the head of about 2000 
men, partly from Virginia and Carolinas, undertook an expedition 
against Florida. He took two Spanish forts, besieged St. Augus- 
tine, but was obliged to abandon the siege and return. Two years 
afterwards, in 1742, the Spaniards invaded Georgia, and the colony 
was in imminent danger. By an artful stratagem of Gen. Ogle- 
thorpe, in which he made the Spaniards believe a large force was 
coming to his assistance, they fled with such precipitation, that they 
left several cannon, and a quantity of provisions behind them. 

During the Revolutionary war, Georgia was overrun by the 
British troops, and many of the inhabitants were obliged to flee 
into the neighboring States for safety. Ijhe sufferings and losses of 
her citizens, was as great in proportiou to her numbers and wealth, 
as in her sister States. In Dec, 1778, Savannah was taken by the 
British, and in October following, Count Pulaski, a Polish officer 
in the American service, was killed in an unsuccessful assault on 
this place. The first State Constitution was formed in 1777, the 
second in 1785, and the present in 1798, and amended in 1839. 



375 




FLORID A. 

Far to the sunny South, sweet land of flowers, 

De Soto trod thy shores in olden time ; 
The Creek and Seminole have roamed thy bowers, 

Who now have vanished from thy sunny clime. 

Florida was discovered by Sebastian Cabot, sailing 
under the flag and patronage of England, in 1497. In 
15^2 and 1516, Ponce de Leon, one of the companions 
of Columbus on his second voyage, explored this part of 
the country. It was called Florida, from the circum- 
stance of its being discovered on Palm Sunday ; or, as 
some say, from the numerous floivering shrubs which 
every where gave the country a beautiful aspect. 

•In 1539, Ferdinand de Soto, who had been an officer 
under Pizarro, sailed from the island of Cuba, of which 
he was Governor, with about 1000 men, and landed on 
the western shore of Florida. From the Gulf of Mexico, 
he penetrated into the country northward and westward, 
in search of gold. The Spaniards wandered about in 
the wilderness for four years ; De Soto and about half 
his men perished before they got back to the Spanish 
settlements. In 1553, the French attempted to estab- 
lish a colony, which occasioned a contest between them 
and the Spaniards, in which the latter were finally victo- 



3*6 

rious. In 1763, Florida was ceded to Great Britain by 
Spain, in exchange for Havana. The Spaniards recon- 
quered it in 1781. In 1819, the Spaniards ceded it to the 
United States as a compensation for their spoliations on 
the commerce of the United States. In 1822, East and 
West Florida were formed into one territory. In 1845, 
Florida was admitted into the Union as a State. Its 
Constitution was adopted in 1838. 

The Seminole Indians occupied, until lately, the Ever- 
glades, a flat, marshy district, in the central and southern 
part of Florida. As early as 1821, the National Gov- 
ernment were urged to remove the Creeks, who had fled 
into this territory, and incorporated themselves with the 
Seminoles. Difficulties continuing with the Indians, a 
Treaty was made in 1832, at Payne's Landing, in which 
they agreed to remove west of the Mississippi. This 
treaty being considered by many of the Seminoles as 
unfair, they refused to remove. In 1835, Gen. Thomp- 
son having a dispute with Osceola, a favorite chief of 
the Indians, caused him to be arrested, and put him into 
irons for a day. Osceola was exasperated, and deter- 
mined upon revenge. 

On Dec. 28th, 1835, Major Dade, with 117 men, fell into an 
ambuscade of the Indians, and were all killed but three'men, one 
or two of whom afterwards died of their wounds. Gen. Thomp- 
son and some of his companions were waylaid the same day, and 
killed, in sight of Fort King, by a party of Indians headed by 
Osceola. After a variety of conflicts, Osceola, in Oct. 1837, with 
about 70 warriors, under the protection of a flag, came into the 
camp of Gen. Jessup, who caused him to be forcibly detained. 
He was taken to St. Augustine, thence to Fort Moultrie, at 
Charleston, where he died, Jan. 1838. This harassing warfare 
Was brought to a close by Col. Worth, in 1842, after millions of 
money had been expended, and hundreds of valuable lives sacri- 
ficed. Great numbers of soldiers perished by disease contracted 
by traversing through swamps, morasses, and waters of stagnant 
akes, in pursuing the Indians from place to place. 



377 




ALABAMA. 

Thy snowy wealth o'er all thy fields is spread, 
Makes wings for commerce, on the ocean wide : 

On shivering want, its fleecy gifts are shed, 

That freight the barks, which o'er thy rivers glide. 

Most of the territory of Alabama, was included in the 
original patent of Georgia. In 1802, Georgia ceded all 
her territory west of Chattahoochee river, to the United 
States ; and extending to the Mississippi river, it was 
erected into the Mississippi Territory in 1817. ; It con- 
tinued a part of the Mississippi Territory until 1819, 
when a State constitution was formed, and in 1820, it 
was admitted into the Union, as an independent State. 
Since the termination of the Creek war in 1814, Ala- 
bama has grown rapidly in population and wealth, by 
her agricultural productions, of which cotton is the prin- 
cipal. 

De Soto, a Spanish officer, appears to have been the 
first European who traversed the soil of Alabama. This 
was in 1540. In 1701, D'Iberville, a distinguished 
French naval officer, erected a fort at Mobile, which, for 
a number of years, appears to have been the principal 
seat of the French power in its southern settlements. In 

32 



378 

1704, Louis XIV., the French king, sent over twenty 
viituous young women,* in order, as he stated, " to be 
married to the Canadians, and to the other inhabitants 
of Mobile, in o^'er to consolidate the colony." They 
proved to be an important and valuable addition to the 
colony, though it appears that a kind of insurrection took 
place, in which they threatened to leave the country the 
first opportunity, for being enticed from home, (most of 
them being from Paris,) to live on corn, when they were 
promised "the milk and honey of a land of promise." 

At the period of the second war with Great Britain, Alabama 
was a theatre of Indian warfare, as a great part of the State at that 
time was inhabited by a number of tribes of Indians, of whom the 
Creeks were the principal. These Indians received their name, 
from the fact of the country which they inhabited, having numerous 
reeks or streams of water. In 1812, the Creeks having been 
stirred up to war by Tecumseh, the celebrated Shawnee warrior, 
commenced hostile operations. In Aug., they fell on Fort Mimms : 
the garrison made a desperate resistance, but out of three hundred 
men, women, and children, only seventeen survived the massacre. 
The adjoining States were now roused to action. In Nov., Gen. 
Jackson, as. isted by Generals Coffee, Floyd, and Claiborne, en- 
tered the Indian country. Gen. Jackson defeated the Indians at 
Talladega, where two hundred and ninety of their warriors were 
left dead upon the field. On Nov. 29, Gen. Floyd attacked the 
Creeks on their sacred ground at Autossee. The Indians fought 
bravely in its defense, but were overcome. Four hundred of their 
houses were burned, and 200 of their bravest warriors killed, among 
whom were the kings of Autossee and Tallahassee. 

The last stand of the Creeks was at Tohopeka, a fortified place 
at the bend of the Tallapoosa, called by the whites the " Horse-shoe- 
bend" The Indians had erected a breast-work, from five to eight 
feet high across the peninsula, where a thonsand of their warriors 
had collected. These fought desperately, but were entirely de- 
feated. Five hundred and fifty of their number were killed on the 
peninsula, and many were drowned or shot in attempting to cross 
the river. The victory ended in the submission of the remaining 
warriors, and in 1814, a treaty of peace was concluded, and the 
Creeks now have removed westward of the Mississippi. 



379 




MISSISSIPPI 



Father of Waters ! like a smiling child, 
Thy namesake State upon thy border lies ; 

Where roamed the Chickasaw and Choctaw wild, 
Amid thy woods, now smiling fields arise. 

In 1716, Bienville, one of the Governors of Louisiana, 
sailed up the Mississippi as far as Natchez, erected and 
garrisoned a fortification which he called " Fort Rosalie. 11 
This spot had been marked down by Iberville, in 1700 
as an eligible spot for a town, of which he drew a plan, 
and which he called Rosalie, the maiden name of the 
Countess Pontchartrain, of France. 

In 1729, the Natchez nation of Indians, feeling them- 
selves aggrieved by the French, laid a plot for their de- 
struction. On the 28th of Nov., they appeared in great 
numbers about the French houses, telling the inhabitants 
they were going a hunting. They sang after the calumet, 
in honor of the French commander, and his company. 
Each having returned to his post, a signal was given, 
and instantly the massacre began. Two hundred French- 
men were killed. " Of all the people at Natchez, not 
more than twenty French, and five or six negroes es- 
caped. One hundred and fifty children, and eighty wo- 
men, with nearly as many negroes, were made prisoners 



380 

The Frei ch governor of Louisiana, M. Perier, resolved 
on avenging the massacre, sent to the Choctaws, who 
furnished a hody of 15 or 1600 warriors, to assist the 
French against the Natchez. The Natchez being be- 
sieged in their fort by the French, had the address during 
the night, to make their escape. Learning afterwards, 
that they had fortified themselves west of the Mississippi, 
the French followed them thither. Here they were be- 
sieged, and compelled to surrender themselves as cap- 
tives. They were taken to New Orleans, where they 
were confined in separate prisons ; and afterwards were 
transported as slaves to St. Domingo. Thus perished 
the Natchez nation, " the most illustrious in Louisiana." 

The Chickasaws were the dread of the French colonists, as they 
had incited the Natchez against them. They occupied a large and 
beantiful tract east of the Mississippi, at the head of the Tombec- 
bee. This they would not allow the French to occupy, but main- 
tained their own independence. In 1736, a force from New Or- 
leans, under Bienville, and another body from the region of the 
Illinois, made an unsuccessful attempt against the Chickasaws. 
Bienville was obliged to throw his artillery into the Tombecbee, 
and retire down the river. The brave young officer, d'Artaguette, 
who commanded the party from the Illinois, was compelled to wit- 
ness the torture and death of his companions, and then dismissed, 
to go and relate to the whites the deeds of the Chickasaws. 

In 1763, the country was ceded to the British. North of the 
31st degree of north latitude, this territory was within the char- 
tered limits of Georgia. In 1795, the Legislature of Georgia, sold 
22,000,000 acres of land in this State, called the Yazoo purchase, to 
four companies, for $500,000, who afterwards sold it at advanced 
prices, to various persons, mostly in the eastern and middle states. 
The iiext year the legislature declared the sale unconstitutional, 
and ordered the records of it to be burnt, without refunding the 
money. The southern section of the State was within the limits 
of Florida, and was purchased of Spain in 1821. In 1798, this 
State, together with Alabama, were constituted Mississippi Terri- 
tory. In 1817, Mississippi, 1 'ving formed a constitution of State 
government, was admitted in ' the Union. 



381 




LOUISIANA. . 

Louis of sunny France, bestowed thy name, 

The gay and generous Frenchman roams beneath thy skiee, 
And rivalling old Orleans, in wealth and fame, 

Its namesake on thy soil in beauty lies. 

Louisiana appears to have been first visited by the 
Spaniards under De Soto, who died at the mouth of Red 
River, in May, 1542, at the age of forty-two. This cel- 
ebrated adventurer, finding that the hour of death was 
come, appointed a successor, and with his dying breath, 
exhorted his desponding followers to " union and confi- 
dence" words now emblazoned on the 4rms of Louis- 
iana. The Spaniards, to conceal the (ka'Ji of (heir leader 
from the Indians, put his body into an oak hollowed out 
for the purpose, and sunk it in the river. De Soto, it is 
said, expended 100,000 ducats in this expedition, like the 
fabled Pelican of old, gave his own blood for the nourish- 
ment of his brood of followers. 

In 1682, M. La Salle, a French naval officer, discov. 
ered the three passages by which the Mississippi dis- 
charges its waters into the Gulf. La Salle having pre- 
pared a column with the arms of France affixed, and a 
cross, ascended the river to a dry spot above inundation, 
where, having erected the c#1"*nn, he took possession of 



382 

the country. " In the name of the Most High, mighty, 
invTncible, and victorious Prince, Louis the Great, by 
the grace of God, King of France and Navarre, fourteenth 
of that name." After the Te Deum was chaunted, a 
salute of fire-arms, and cries of vive le Roi, La Salle 
said, his Majesty, as eldest son of the Chu/ch, would an- 
nex no country to his crown, without making it his chief 
care to establish the Christian religion therein : its sym- 
bol must now be planted ; which was accordingly done 
at once, by erecting a cross, before which, religious ser- 
vices. were performed. The country was named Louis- 
iana in honor of the French King, 

La Salle attempted a settlement, but it failed. In 1699, a more 
successful attempt was made by Iberville, who entered the Missis- 
sippi and founded a colony. His efforts were followed up by Cro- 
zat, a man of wealth, who held the exclusive trade of the country 
for a number of years. About the year 1717, he transferred his in- 
terest to a chartered company, at the head of which was the cele- 
brated John Law, whose national bank and Mississippi speculation, 
involved the ruin of half the French nobility. The stock of this 
company at one time, advanced to upwards of two thousand per 
cent., and the notes of the bank in circulation, exceeded two hun- 
dred millions of dollars. In 1731, the Company resigned the con- 
cern to the crown, who in 1762, ceded the whole of Louisiana to 
Spain. In 1800, Spain re-conveyed the province to the French, 
of whom it was purchased by the United States in 1803, for fifteen 
millions of dollars. This purchase included the territory west of 
the Mississippi. In 1812, the present State of Louisiana formed a 
Constitution and was admitted into the Union. 

On the 8th of January, 1815, a body of about 8000 British troops, 
under Gen. Packingham, made an attempt to obtain possession of 
New Orleans. This place was defended by about 6000 militia 
lien under Gen. Jackson. The Americans, behind their breast- 
works of cotton bales, and other materials which no balls could pen- 
etrate, poured such a fire on the advancing troops of the enemy, 
that whole ranks were literally swept away. Gen. Packenham, 
and Gen. Gibbs, the second in command, were mortally wounded. 
The enemy retreated with the loss of 2600 men, in killed, wound- 
ed, and captured. The American loss amounted to only six killed 
and seven wounded. 



383 




OHIO. 

Ohio ! " Beauteous River," on thy shore, 

Peace, plenty, with their choicest blessings rest, 

And dotting with her boats thy waters o'er, 
There lies thy city fair, " Queen of the West." 

Ohio receives its name from the river, which forms 
its southern boundary. The word Ohio, in the Wyandot 
language, signifies fair, or " Beautiful River" which 
was the name given to it by the French, the first Euro- 
peans which explored this part of the country. In Au- 
gust, 1679, La Salle launched upon Lake Erie, the Grif- 
fin, a bark of about 60 tons, with which he proceeded 
through the lakes to the Straits at Mackinaw. In 1750, 
a French post had been fortified at the mouth of the Wa- 
bash, and a communication was established through that 
river and the Maumee, with Canada. The French, at 
this period, had a chain of fortifications back of the Eng- 
lish settlements, and the territory north-west of Ohio, 
was included within the limits of Louisiana. 

About this time, the Ohio Company was formed, and 
for the purpose of checking the progress of the French, 
made attempts to establish trading houses among the In- 
dians. The first English settlement in the Ohio valley, 
appears to have been made on the Great M<ami, where 



/ 



384 

.hey erected a trading house in 1749. In 1752, this was 
destroyed by the French, and the traders were carried 
away to Canada. The Moravian missionaries, prior to 
the American Revolution, had a number of stations 
within the limits of Ohio. As early as 1 762, the mission- 
aries, Heckewelder, and Post, were on the Muskingum. 
Mary Heckewelder, the daughter of the Missionary, is 
said to have been the first white child born in Ohio. 

During the Revolutionary war, most of the western Indians 
were more or less united against the Americans, by means of the 
British influence. During the French ware, that nation instigated 
the Indians to fall on the frontier settlements. In 1782, a party of 
Americans, under Col. Williamson, murdered, in cold blood, ninety- 
r our of the defenseless Moravian Indians, on the Muskingum. In 
the same year, Col. Crawford, at the head of about 500 men, was 
defeated on the Sandusky by the Indians ; he was taken prisoner, 
and burnt at the stake with horrible tortures. 

After the Revolution, the States who owned, or had a claim on 
western unappropriated lands, with a single exception, ceded them 
to the United States. The State of Connecticut, ceded her claim 
of soil and jurisdiction, to that part of Ohio, since known as the 
** Western Reserve." The first settlement in this part of the State, 
was made at Conneaut, in 1796, by settlers from Connecticut. 
The first regular, permanent, white settlement within the bounds 
of Ohio, was commenced in the spring of 1788, at Marietta, so 
named in honor of Marie Antoniette, Queen of France. At this, 
as well as at other places in this State, are the remains of mounds, 
and other ancient works, evidently erected by a people which once 
inhabited this fertile region, far more advanced in civilization than 
the present race of Indians. 

The Indians continuing hostile, in 1790 Gen. Harmer was sent 
against them with 1300 men. This expedition proved unsuccess- 
ful. In 1791, Gen. St. Clair, with a force of 3000 men, assembled 
at Cincinnati, commenced his march against the Indians on the 
Maumee. He was defeated with the loss of 600 men killed, among 
whom was Gen. Butler. In 1794, another army under Gen. 
Wayne, was sent against the Indians. He encountered the ene- 
my, and after a short and deadly confl tct, they were totally de- 
feated, and soon after were compelled to make peace. In 1799, 
Ohio formed a territorial government, and in 1802, formed a State 
constitution, and was adnv'lted into the Union. 



385 




KENTUCKY. 

The hunter Boone, the hardy pioneer, 

Thy flowery wilds among the first explored ; 

And in our country's lists, to freemen dear, 
Thy gallant sons, thy fame spreads far abroad. 

Kentucky was originally within the limits of Vir- 
ginia ; its first actual explorer, of whom we have any 
very definite knowledge, was Col. James Smith, who 
traveled westward in 1766, from Holsion river, with 
three men and a mulatto slave. They explored the 
country south of Kentucky, and also Cumberland and 
Tennessee rivers down to the Ohio. The beautiful tract 
of country near the Kentucky river, the finest perhaps of 
the Ohio valley, appears to have been reserved by the 
Indians as a hunting ground ; and consequently, none of 
their settlements were found there. 

In 1767, John Finley, and some others, made a trading 
expedition from North Carolina to this region. Upon 
his return, he communicated his discoveries to Daniel 
Boone, and some others, who agreed, in 1769, to under- 
take a journey to explore it. After a long fatiguing 
march, over a mountainous wilderness, they arrived upon 
its borders ; and from an eminence, discovered the lovely 
valley of Kentucky. Here they encnmped, and some 
33 



went to hunt provisions, which were readily procured, 
there being plenty of game, while Col. Boone and Mr. 
Finley, made a tour of the country. But notwithstanding 
this promising beginning, the company soon found noth- 
ing but hardships and adversities. All the companions 
of Boone were killed by the Indians, and himself taken 
prisoner. He soon made his escape. He remained in 
the wilderness for some time, entirely alone. He re- 
turned to his family in North Carolina, after an ab- 
sence of nearly three years. During nearly the whole 
of this time, he never tasted bread, or salt, nor beheld 
the face of a single white man, excepting his brother, 
and his companions who had been killed. 

In 1771, Boone, with his family, started to make a set- 
tlement in Kentucky, in Powel's valley. Being joined 
by five more families, and forty men, well armed, they 
proceeded onward with confidence, but when near the 
Cumberland Mountains, they were attacked by a large 
party of Indians, and were obliged to retreat to the set- 
tlements on Clinch river. Here they remained till 1774. 
In this year, James Harrod built the first cabin in the 
State, on the spot where Harrodsburg now stands. In 
1775, Boone erected a fort at Boonsborough, brought his 
family and some others, and established a permanent 
settlement. The first settlers were harrassed by the at- 
tacks of the Indians for a long period, till Gen. Clark 
scoured the wilderness, took their posts, destroyed many 
of their villages, and compelled them to make peace. 

In 1777, Burgesses were chosen to represent the 
county of Kentucky in the Legislature of Virginia. In 
1783, Kentucky was formed into a district. In 1785, a 
Convention was formed for the purpose of procuring an 
entire separation from Virginia. This was effected the 
following year. It continued an independent district, till 
June 1st, 1702, when it was received into the Union as 
an independent State. The first constitution was formed 
in 1790, .he present one in 1799. 



m 




TENNESSEE. 

The plough is on thy shield, thy fertile soil, 

Like Eden, 'neath thy children's cultivating hand 

With richest fruit rewards their patient toil, 
And scatters " plenty o'er a smiling hand." 

Tennessee* was originally included in the charter of 
North Carolina, given by Charles II, in 1664; but no 
settlement was made beyond the Alleghany Mountains 
till 1757, when a few hardy pioneers established them- 
selves at Fort Loudon, on Watagua river. The French 
having stirred up the Cherokees to hostilities against the 
English settlements, Col. Montgomery was sent with a 
force to subdue them. After destroying a number ol 
their towns, he was attacked by the Indians and forced 
to retire without effecting his object. In 1760, the 
Cherokees blockaded Fort Loudon. The garrison, about 
200 in number, having subsisted for some time on horse 
flesh, agreed to capitulate, on condition they should be 
allowed to return to Virginia, or Fort Prince George. 
After marching about fifteen miles from the fort, they 

*This State takes its name from its principal river. The Indians 
are said to have given this name to the river on account of its 
curvature, which gave to their imaginations the form of an Indian 
spoon, which is the meaning of the name. 



388 

were treacherously fired on by the savages, and those 
who were not massacred were made prisoners. The 
next year, Col. Grant, with about 2,600 men, marched 
into the Cherokee country, gave battle to the Indians, 
burned their dwellings and laid waste their country 
These measures humbled the savages, and compelled 
them to make peace. 

In 1765, settlements were begun on Holston river, 
and during the Revolutionary war the settlers had fre- 
quent contests with the Indians. In 1782, the Legisla- 
ture of North Carolina appointed commissioners to ex- 
plore Davidson County, (which at that time was very ex- 
tensive,) and report which part was best for the payment 
of the bounty promised to the officers and soldiers of that 
State during the Revolution. A settlement had been 
made in this part of the State in 1780, under the guid- 
ance and direction of Col. Robertson, at a place they 
named Nashville, in honor of Gen. Nash, who was killed 
at the battle of Germantovvn, in 1777. The county was 
named Davidson, in honor of Gen. Davidson, who fell 
in opposing Cornwallis, in 1781. The military warrants 
weie made out, many of the officers and soldiers repair- 
ed to this section to secure and settle their lands, and 
many purchasers from various States of the Union be- 
came settlers. 

In 1785, the inhabitants of the counties of Sullivan, Washing- 
ton and Green, lying directly west of the Alleghany mountains, 
framed a constitution, elected their governor, and erected them- 
selves into an independent State, by the name of the New State of 
Franklin. This premature State was to comprehend " all that 
tract of country which lies between the mountains and the Suck 
or Whirl in the Tennessee river." These proceedings occasioned 
great confusion and warm disputes, which continued until 1788, 
when the thoughts of independency were relinquished, and tran- 
quility was restored. The territory was finally ceded to the 
United States in 1790, and a territorial government was establish- 
ed under the name of the " Territory Southwest of the Ohio River." 
In 1796, Tennessee was admitted into the Union as a State. 



833 




MICHIGAN. 

The missionary and the hunter bold, 

First ranged thy forest depths in times of old: 

Earth's mightiest Lakes, now bound thy lengthened shore, 
The Huron brave shall tread thy fields no more. 

The Huron tribe of Indians, were the aboriginal in- 
habitants of Michigan. They were anciently very nu- 
merous, brave and powerful, and their settlements ex- 
tended as far north as Lake Superior. As early as 1634, 
the French Catholic missionaries, founded a mission near 
Lake Huron, and in 1660, a station was established on 
the rocky and pine -clad borders of Lake Superior. In 
1663, the mission at St. Mary's Falls was founded, and 
in 1671, Father Marquette gathered a little flock of In- 
dian converts at Point St. Ignatus, on the main land 
north of the island of Mackinaw. The great body of 
the Hurons, were converted by the efforts of the mission- 
aries, to the profession of Christianity. The Iroquois, or 
Five Nations, made war upon them, and massacred or 
dispersed most of their number. 

In 1667, Louis XIV. sent a party of soldiers to this 
territory, to protect the French fur-traders. In 1701, a 
French colony left Montreal, and began the settlement 
of Detroit, which was a place of resort of the French 
missionaries, as early as 1620. Having established mil* 
33* 



390 

itary posts at this, and other places, they soon extended 
their commerce westward of Lake Michigan, to the In- 
dians on the Mississippi. They were steadily opposed 
by the Iroquois, and the settlements being somewhat 
neglected by the French government, they never flour- 
ished as colonies. The war of 1756, dispossessed the 
French of all their northern possessions, and of the rest 
of this territory, which remained in a neglected state ill 
the hands of the British till the peace of 1783, gave it 
over to the United States, and a governor was appointed 
in 1787, for all the territory N. W. of the Ohio. In 
1796, the fort of Detroit was ceded by the British to the 
United States, and the peninsula of Michigan proper was 
formed into a county, called the county of Wayne. In 
1805, it was formed into a distinct territorial govern- 
ment, and in 1836 it was admitted into the Union as a 
State. 

In the war of 1812, the important fortress of Mackinaw, being 
garrisoned by only 57 men under Lieut. Hanks, was surrendered 
on the 17th of July to a party of 1000 British and Indians. On the 
15th of August, Gen. Brock, with a force of 1300 men, of whom 
700 were Indians, summoned Gen. Hull to surrender Detroit, stat- 
ing that he would be unable to control the Indians if any resist-' 
ance should be offered. Although Hull had a force of 800 men, 
yet he supposed it would be useless to resist, and, to the astonish- 
ment of all, he surrendered at discretion, without scarcely any oppo- 
sition. The indignation was great against him, and after he was 
exchanged, he was tried by a Court martial, sentenced to death, but 
on account of his age and services in the Revolution, the President 
remitted the punishment, but deprived him of all military command. 
On the22d of January, 1813, Gen. Winchester, who was encamped 
at Frenchtown on the river Raisin, was surprised by a force of 
British and Indians under Gen. Proctor. After a severe contest 
the Americans surrendered, under a promise of being protected from 
the Indians. This promise was broken : a large number of pris- 
oners, mostly those who were wounded, were murdered by the In- 
dians. Gen. Winchester's force consisted of about 800 men, prin- 
cipally volunteers from some of the most respectable families in 
Kentucky. One-third were killed in the battle and massacre that 
followed, and but 33 escaped. The merciless savages fired the 
town, dragged the wounded from their houses, killed and scalped 
them in the streets, and left their mangled bodies in the high-way 



391 




INDIANA. 

L; nd of ihe Shawnee braves, thy fertile plains 
The Buffalo wild herd shall tread no more ; 

Thy far spread prairies teem with golden grain, 
And towns arise where forests waved before. 

This State, till Jan. 1801, formed a part of the Northwest Ter- 
ritory. It was then created into a separate territory, and Gen. 
Harrison was appointed Governor. It was admitted into the 
Union in 1816, and adopted its constitution. The first settlement 
in this State was made by the French, at Vincennes, as early, there 
is reason to believe, as the year 1735. This place, or post, receiv- 
ed its name from M. de Vincennes, a young and brave French 
officer, who was killed in an expedition aaginst the Chickasaws, in 
1735. At the peace of 1763, between France and England, this 
country came into possession of Great Britain. In 1779, Vin- 
cennes was taken from the British by a party of Virginia militia, 
under Col. Clark. 

Just previous to the war of 1812 with Great Britain, Indiana 
washarrassed by the hostile movements of the Shawnee and other 
Indians, led on by Tecumseh, and his brother, the Prophet. On 
the 7th of November, Gen. Harrison met a number of the Proph 
et's messengers at Tipppecanoe, a branch of the Wabash, then the 
principal seat of theShawanese. Agreeing to a short suspension 
of hostilities, the Indians endeavored to take Harrison by surprise ; 
they were, however, defeated, with the loss of 170 killed, and 100 
wounded. 



3S2 




ILLINOIS. 

On thy broad fields, and prairies wild and vast, 
The thundering herd shall rush no longer past ; 
But cultured by the hand of man, thy soil 
With rich abundance crowns the laborers toil. 

This State derives its name from the river Illinois, an 
Indian word, signifying a manfull of age, in the vigor of 
his years. Illinois river is the river of men. The first 
settlement within the limits of the State, was made by 
the French, at Kaskaskia, Cahokia, and Peoria, some- 
where between the years 1690 and 1700. It appears 
clear, that Father Gravier began a mission among the 
Illinois before 1693, and became the founder of Kaskas- 
kia, though in what year we know not ; but for some 
time it was merely a missionary station, and the inhabi- 
tants of the village consisted entirely of natives ; it being 
one of the three such villages ; the other two being 
Cahokia and Peoria. In 1789, Illinois constituted a part 
of the Northwest Territory. In 1800, Indiana and Illi- 
nois became a separate territory. In 1809, it was made 
a separate territory, and in 1818, it was admitted into 
the Union as an independent State. 

The first European who touched the soil of Illinois, 
appears to have been one Perrot, an agent for the In- 
endant of Canada, who, in 1670, explored Lake Michi- 



393 

gan as tar as Chicago. In 1673, Fathei Marquette, the 
devoted and pious French missionary, M. Joliet, of 
Quebec, with live boatmen, left the Michilimacinac, 
passed down Green Bay, and entered Fox river. From 
thence they crossed over to the Wisconsin, and sailed down 
the Mississippi as far as Arkansas, when they return- 
ed to the north. They were kindly received and feast- 
ed by the Illinois. Their feast consisted of four courses : 
the first of hominy, the second of fish, the third of dog, 
which the Frenchmen declined, and the whole concluded 
with roast buffalo. The Illinois Indians are described 
by all travellers as remarkably handsome, well manner- 
ed and kind. 

In the year 1812, Gen. Hull, who surrendered Detroit into the 
hands of the British, directed Capt. Heald, who commanded Fort 
Dearborn, at Chicago, to distribute his stores to the Indians, and 
retire to Fort Wayne. Not having perfect confidence in the In- 
dians, he threw the powder into the well, and wasted the whiskey. 
As these were the articles they most wanted, they were so exaspe- 
rated, they fell upon the garrison after they had proceeded about 
two miles from the fort, and massacred about 60 persons, being 
about two-thirds of their number. 

In 1840, the Mormons having been driven out of Missouri, loca- 
ted a city on the east bank of the Mississippi, which they called 
Nauvoo. They had extraordinary privileges granted them by the 
State. But here, as elsewhere, numerous difficulties arose between 
them and the surrounding inhabitants. On June 27th, 1844, Jo- 
seph Smith, the Mormon prophet and leader, with his brother 
Hyrum, were killed by a mob, and in a short period after, the 
Mormons began their movement toward California. 



J-W4 




MISSOURI. 

With hills i\nd dales, find plains diversified, 

Thy commerce growing, sp-reading far and wide, 

Large in extent among each sister state, 

These and thy mines of wealth shall make thee great. 

Missouri was originally included in the limits of Lou- 
isiana, purchased of the French government in 1803. 
In 1804, the territory was organized into the district of 
Louisiana, and was under the authority of Gov. Harrison 
of Indiana. In 1806. it became a territory under its own 
government. In 1812, its name was changed to Mis- 
souri. In 1820, it was admitted into the Union, after 
much debate and agitation, on the subject of admitting 
new slave states into the confederacy. 

In 1763, Mr. Laclede, the head of a mercantile com- 
pany, who had obtained a monopoly of the Indian and 
fur-trade, on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, left New 
Orleans on an expedition fitted out to form establishments, 
and open a commerce with the natives. Laclede having 
left his stores at Fort Charles on the Kaskakias, proceeded 
up the river to the bluff, where St. Louis now stands. He 
was so much pleased with the situation of the place, 
that he determined to make it the central place of the 



395 

company's operations. Laclede was accompanied by 
Auguste and Pierre Choteau, two young Creoles of New 
Orleans, of high respectability and intelligence. In Feb., 
1764, Auguste, the elder of the two brothers, commenced 
the first buildings at St. Louis, and these brothers never 
afterwards quitted the country of their adoption. They 
became the heads of numerous families, whose name is, 
even at this time, a passport that commands safety and 
hospitality among the Indian nations in the United States 
north and west. 

In 1669, settlements were made on both shores of the lower por- 
tion of the Missouri. Blanchette, " the hunter," built a log house, 
the first dwelling on the site of the beautiful village, which in 1784, 
received the name of St. Charles. St. Genevieve was settled as 
early as 1774. New Madrid was laid out by Col. Morgan, under 
the Spanish government, about the year 1790. 

On the 16th of December, 1811, commenced a series of parth- 
quakes, which continued till the February following. The most 
destructive shocks took place in the beginning, althougn they were 
repeated many weeks, becoming lighter till they died away in 
slight vibrations, like the jarring of steam in an immense boiler. 
New Madrid, having suffered more than any other town on the 
Mississippi from its effects, was considered as situated near the fo- 
cus from whence the undulations proceeded. This place, which 
stood on a bluff bank, fifteen or twenty feet above the summer fioods, 
sunk so low, that the next rise covered it to the depth of five feet. 
The bottom of several fine lakes in the vicinity, were elevated, so 
as to become dry land, and have since been planted with corn. 
The earth on the shores opened in wide fissures, and closing again, 
threw the water and mud, in huge jets, higher than the tops of the 
trees. The atmosphere was filled with a thick vapor, or gas, of a 
purple tinge. The agitation of the waters of the Mississippi were 
such, that many boats were overwhelmed, and their crews drowned. 



39b 



ARKANSAS. 

The plough and the steain boat are upon thy shield, 

Commerce and Agriculture's skillful hand 
Shall skim thy streams, shall furrow o'er thy fields, 
And make thee great amid thy sister band. 

Arkansas reoeives its name from the large river by which it is 
centrally intersected. It was a part of the Louisiana purchase. It 
became a separate territory in 1819, and in 1836, it adopted a 
State constitution, and was admitted into the Union. 

The first white man who traversed the territory of Arkansas, was 
De Soto, the celebrated Spanish adventurer, who, after his wander- 
ings east of the Mississippi, reached the banks of the great River 
of the West, not far from the 35th parallel of latitude. A month, 
it is said, was spent in preparing barges to convey his horses, many 
of whom lived, across the rapid stream. Having successfully passed 
it, they pursued their way northward, and then turning westward 
again, they marched more than two hundred miles from the Mis- 
sissippi to the highlands of White River. But still they found no 
gold, (the object of their search,) no gems, no cities : only bare prai- 
ries, and tangled forests, and deep morasses. To the south again 
they toiled on, and passed the third winter of wandering upon the 
Waschita. In the following spring, (1542,) De Soto, weary with 
hope long deferred, descended the Waschita, to its junction with 
the Mississippi. His men and horses wasted away, the Indians 
were hostile about him, till he sunk into discouragement and died. 

The territory of Arkansas appears to have been next visited by 
Father Marquette, and a few others, who came down from Canada 
in 1673. The French voyagers from the Ohio, passed down the 
river to the neighborhood of the " Arkamscas," or Arkansas, where 
they were kindly received. 



sm 




TEXAS. 

" Lone Texian star," that rose in southern skies, 

Now mingled with the northern con?*ellation bright ; 

Far in the sunny South, thy domain l.es ; 
Thy sons are warlike, readiest in the fight. 

The territory of Texas proper, appears to have been 
first visited by La Salle, who sailed from France to St. 
Domingo, and from thence proceeded the discovery and 
settlement of the famed Louisiana. The French, who 
intended to enter the Mississippi, appear to have first 
landed at Matagorda Bay, where they began a fortifica- 
tion in March, 1685. Here they met with many discour- 
agements ; their vessel, which had their provisions and 
most valuable stores, was wrecked ; and the seed they 
planted would not sprout. Some of the men deserted to 
the Indians ; others were discouraged, and becoming 
mutinous, murdered La Salle, and some others, (as far 
as can be judged,) upon a branch of the Brazos. Youtel 
the historian, and some others, penetrated to the Missis- 
sippi ; and from thence he proceeded northward, and 
reached Quebec in July, 1687. # 

It is believed that settlements were made in the limits 
of Texas, as early as 1692 ; but the savages were so 
hostile, that little progress was effectod. The Spanish, 



398 

and afterwards the Mexican Governments, in order to establish 
settlements, offered grants of land, as inducements to settlers from 
the United Siates. In 1821, Stephen B. Austin, from Connecticut, 
went to Brassos, to secure a portion of territory bequeathed to 
him by his father. Many settlers soon afterwards located them- 
selves here, and their increase and prosperity began to alarm the 
Mexicans. When the Mexican government abolished slavery in 
her limits, in 1825, most of the settlers being planters from the 
Southern States, who had brought their slaves with them, felt them- 
selves aggrieved. They petitioned the Mexican Congress in vain, 
for relief, and Austin, the principal man in the colony, was im- 
prisoned for two years. On the establishment of Centralism, un- 
der Santa Anna, Texas, in 1835, declared her Independence. 
Gen. Cose was sent against the Texans but he was defeated and 
taken prisoner. 

Santa Anna, the President of Mexico, with a force of 8000 men, 
now moved forward, threatening to exterminate the Americans 
from the soil of Texas. In March, 1836, San Antonio de Bexai 
was besieged ; the Alamo was defended by a force of only 187 
men, for two weeks. They were all slain but seven, who surren- 
dered. Col. Travis, Col. David Crockett, and Col. Bowie, the in- 
ventor of the Bowie knife, were all killed in the defense of this 
place. While Santa Anna was engaged at San Antonio, Gen. 
Urrea marched upon Goliad. He had a severe contest with Col. 
Fa nning's troops, who, on March 20th, surrendered themselves as 
onsoners of war. Nine days afterwards, all the Texans, 520 in 
number, were shot down, except six only, who made their escape. 
On April 21st, Santa Anna came up to a body of 783 Texans, 
commanded by Gen. Houston, near the banks of San Jacinto. 
Being masked by the timber, the Texans marched into a valley, 
from which they rushed upon the Mexican lines in front. When 
within about 600 yards, the Mexicans opened their fire. The Tex- 
ans, nothing daunted, moved on, and when within about 70 yards 
of iheir foes, opened a terrible fire, with their double barrel guns, 
and pistols, of which some had five or six about them, besides 
knives and tomahawks. They swept over the Mexicans like the 
wind ; took their artillery already loaded and primed, and fired it 
upon them, as they retreated in total rout and confusion. The 
Texan loss was only 2 killed and 23 wounded. The Mexican loss 
is stated to have been 630 killed, 208 wounded, and 730 prisoners, 
among whom were Santa Anna, and his principal officers. This 
victory secured the Independence of Texas. 

The Mexicans made repeated hostile demonstrations, apparently 
with the view of recovering Texas, but owing to a variety of causes, 
nothing of importance was effected. Texas remained a sepa- 
rate government till 1845, when by mutual agreement, it was an- 
nexed to the United States as a member oi the Confederacy. 



39V 




WISCONSIN. 

Far to the north thy boundaries appear, 
Where the wild Chippewa his lodge doth reat : 
Thy sons are free, thy climate breathes of health, 
And in thy fertile soil are mines of wealth. 

One of the first Europeans who visited the territory of 
Wisconsin, was Father Marquette, a pious Catholic Mis- 
sionary, who, after spending about three years at the 
Straits of Mackinaw, the idea of exploring the lands yet 
farther towards the setting sun, had been growing more 
and more definite in his mind. " He had heard of the 
great river of the Wesfr, and fancied that upon its fertile 
banks — not mighty cities, mines of gold, or fountains of 
youth — but whole tribes of God's children, to whom the 
sound of the Gospel had never come. Filled with the 
wish to go and preach to them, he obeyed with joy the 
orders of Talon, the wise Intendant of Canada, to lead a 
party into the unknown distance." 

fie was accompanied by M. Joliet, of Quebec, and 
five boatmen. This little band of seven, left Mackinaw 
in two bark canoes, in May, 1673. They passed down 
Green Bay to Fox river, which they entered and dragged 
their canoes through its strong rapids, to a village of In- 
dians where Allouez, a French Missionary had visited, 



400 

and where " they found a cross, on which hung skins and 
belts, bows and arrows, which they had offered to the 
great Manitou, [God,] to thank him because he had ta- 
ken pity on them during the winter, and had given them 
abundant chase." 

Beyond this point, no Frenchman had gone ; and here was the 
bound of discovery. The friendly Indians then guided to the Wis- 
consin, about three leagues distant, whose waters flowed westward. 
Down this they floated, till, on the 17th of June, when, with joy, they 
entered the Mississippi. They proceeded down the river to Ar- 
kansas, then they returned to Green Bay without loss or injury. 
Wisconsin was next visited by La Salle, and Father Hennipin, a 
Franciscan friar, a man of much ambition and energy. These ad- 
venturers, having passed down the Illinois, Hennipin paddled up 
the Mississippi as far as the Wisconsin, where he was taken pris- 
oner by the Indians, who treated him and his companions kindly. 
They took them up the river to the Falls, which Hennipin named 
St. Anthony, in honor of his patron Saint. From this point he re- 
turned to Canada and France by way of Lake Superior. 

Wisconsin was under the government of France, till 1763; of 
Great Britain, till 1794 ; of Ohio, till 1800 ; of Indiana, till 1809 ; 
of Illinois, till 1818; of Michigan, till 1836 ; and under a territorial 
government till 1848, when she was admitted into the Union as a 
State. The principal place in this State, is Milwaukie, formerly 
the site of a village of the Sac and Fox tribe of Indians. Its name 
is said to be derived from Man-na-wah-kie, an Indian word, sig- 
nifying good land. 

In the spring of 1832, the Winnebagoes, Sacs, and Foxes, un- 
der Black Hawk, commenced a war with the United States. Many 
settlements were broken up and destroyed, and many of the inhab- 
itants were killed. Gov. Reynolds, of Illinois, ordered out 2000 
militia. Congress ordered 600 mounted Rangers to be raised, and 
Gen. Scott was ordered from the sea board, with nine companies 
of artillery. The troops on their route were attacked with the 
Cholera, and out of one corps of 208 men, but nine were left alive. 
After an unsuccessful contest, with the. overwhelming force of the 
whites, Black Hawk, and his brother the Prophet, were surren- 
dered to Gen. Street, at Prairie du Chien, on the 27th of August . 
which ended the war. 



.0} 




IOWA. 

The Eagle, bow, and arrow here we see, 
Columbia, and the Indian emblems, types of thee ; 
Thine onward course, is like an Eagle's flight ; 
Thy soil is fertile, and thy skies are bright. 

This State derived its name from the Ioway tribe of Indians, 
formerly located on the Iowa river, but now intermingled among 
the surrounding tribes, principally among the Sauks, or Sacs, and 
Foxes. These tribes had the reputation of being the bust hunters 
of any on the borders t)f the Mississippi or Missouri. At the time 
the white traders first went among them, their practice was, to 
leave their villages as soon as their corn and beans were ripe, and 
taken care of, to go on to their wintering grounds ; it being previ- 
ously determined in council, on what particular ground each party 
shall hunt. The old men, women, and children, embark in canoes ; 
the young men go by land with their horses ; and on their arrival, 
they immediately commence their winters hunt, which lasts about 
three months. They return to their villages in the month of April, 
and prepare their lands for cultivation. In .June, most of the yonng 
men went out on a Summer's hunt and returned in April. 

In 1832, Iowa was purchased of the Indians, and in 1833, it be- 
gan to be settled by white emigrants. Since this period, the popu- 
lation has increased with astonishing rapidity ; towns have been 
built, and improvement has rapidly progressed. In 1838, Iowa 
was separated from Wisconsin, and had a distinct territorial gov- 
ernment of its own. In 1644, she adopted a constitution, and asked 
to be admitted into the Union. In 1846, terms with regard to her 
boundaries were agreed upon, and Iowa became the twenty-ninth 
State admitted into the Union. 



102 




[I have found it.] 

CALIFORNIA. 

Far west, on to the broad Pacific sea, 

The germ of Empire great is found in thee ; 

By rapid Sacramento's distant tide, 

Thy mines of gold are famed both far and wide. 

The first European who visited the coast of California, after the 
voyage of Cabrillo, in 1542, appears to have been Sebastian Vis- 
caino, who was appointed by the Spanish government to explore 
the north-west coast of California. Viscaine appears to have made 
the discovery of the harbors of San Diego and Monterey, in 1602. 

It was not until 167 years after the first discovery was made, 
that the Spaniards attempted settlements in New California, so 
named in distinction from old California, which embraced the 
peninsula. In 1542, this coast was traversed by Cabrillo ; in 1578, 
by Sir Francis Drake. The first colonists were principally Cath- 
olic missionaries, and their settlements were called Missions. 
San Diego was founded in 1769 ; Monterey in 1770 ; and San 
Francisco in 1776. 

In June, 1846, Capt. John C. Fremont took military possession 
of Sonoma, and soon established the American authority. He 
was assisted by Com. Sloat, commander of the Pacific squadron. 
In February, 1848, California was ceded by Mexico to the United 
States. In 1849, a State government was organized, and Repre- 
sentatives and Senators to Congress were appointed. 

California is now rapidly increasing in population : great num- 
bers arriving for the purpose of " digging gold ;" this precious 
metal being found in large quantities near the banks, or in the beds 
of streams which empty into the harbor of San Francisco. 



403 




[The Star of the North.] 

jfHNXESOTA. 

Star of the North ! so reads thy motto high, 
Thy beams are in the constellation bright ; 
Hennepin, on Catholic missions sent, 
First treads thy soil to spread the Christian light. 

Father Hennepin, a Catholic missionary, who was at the Falls 
of St. Anthony in 1680, appears to have been the first European 
in the limits of this territory. In 1695, it appears that M. Le- 
Seur discovered, (as he supposed,) a copper mine on Blue Earth 
River, a tributary of St. Peter's. In 1767, Capt. Jonathan Car- 
ver ascended to the Falls of St. Anthony, and was well received 
■ by the Indians. 

In 1805, Lieut. Pike was sent to explore the sources of the 
Mississippi. In this tour he purchased the site on which Fort 
Snelling is situated. In 1819, barracks were erected at this 
place. In 1820, Gov. Cass was sent, with an escort of soldiers, 
to explore the head waters of the Mississippi. He ascended the 
river as far as Cass Lake. In 1823, Major Long went, on the 
Red River, as far north as Pembina, the Upper Selkirk settle- 
ment, of which, being found within the limits of the United States, 
he took formal possession. In 1849, Minnesota was organized as a 
Territory, and the Hon. Alexander Ramsay, of Pennsylvania, 
was appointed its governor. 

Minnesota was admitted into the Union in 1858, and Henry 
M. Rice and James Shields were the first representatives of the 
new State in the national Senate. At this time the population 
was about 150,000. 



404 




[Ijly with my own wings.] 

OREGON. 



Columbia's stream flows on thy northern line, 
Thy costly furs the wary trappers prize ; 

Majestic mountains peer above thy plains, 
Thy giant pines near the Pacific rise. 

The first European navigator who traversed any part of the 
coast of Oregon, was Cabrillo, who, in 1 542, sailed up as far as 
latitude 44°. In 1578, Sir Francis Drake ranged this coast from 
latitude 38 to 48. This region was called, by the English, New 
Albion. The name of its principal river is derived from the 
name of Columbia Redivinia, an American vessel from Boston, 
Mass., commanded by Capt. Grey, who, in 1792, discovered this 
important stream. Its two great branches, the Lewis and the 
Clark, were named from Captains Lewis and Clark, who traveled 
westward, passed over the Rocky Mountains, and explored the 
country, in 1805. 

In 1811, Astoria, a trading establishment, was formed by the 
American Fur Company, at the mouth of Columbia river. This 
colony consisted of 120 men, and was under the direction of the 
late John Jacob Astor, of New York, from whom the place de- 
rived its name. The boundaries of Oregon were, for some time, 
undefined, owing to the conflicting claims to the territory by a 
number of the European governments. In 1846, a boundary 
was agreed upon, and all differences happily adjusted. In 1849, 
a territorial government was formed. In 1859, Oregon was ad- 
mitted into the Union. 



405 




f To Prosperity through Adversity.] 

KANSAS. 

Free Kansas! -was the hero's battle cry 
Through perils oft, through storms of fire and blood: 
For Freedom's cause, the conflict dire was fought ; 
Thy sons, firm for the right most bravely stood. 

Kansas, previous to 1854, was included in the limits of the 
" Indian Territory," and seems to have derived its name from the 
Kansas, one of the original tribes of this region. The first white 
man who traversed its soil seems to have been M. Dutisne, a 
French officer, sent by the Governor of Louisiana, in 1719, to 
explore the territory west of the Mississippi. In 1804, Lewis 
and Clark, on their celebrated Rocky mountain expedition, sailed 
up the Missouri, on its eastern border. 

In 1820, on the admission of Missouri into the Union, the 
Congress of the United States passed the " Missouri Compromise 
Act," which prohibited slavery north of 36° 30'. Kansas was 
north of this line, but in 1854, after an angry duscussion, Con- 
gress passed the "Kansas and Nebraska bill, " which rendered 
the " Compromise Act " of no avail. This at once opened a fierce 
contest between slaveholders and free-soil men for possession. 
For months, civil war prevailed, and the settlers were distressed 
by robberies, murders, house-burnings, the destruction of crops, 
and other atrocities. After many conflicts, the free State party 
gained the ascendancy, and formed a State Constitution, which 
was adopted by the people by a large majority, and in 1861, Kan- 
sas was admitted as a free State into the Union. 



408 

WEST VIRGINIA. 

West Virginia was made a separate State during the late civil 
war. In 1861, when the question of secession was submitted 
to the people of Virginia, those living in the eastern part, (the 
slave holding section,) voted, almost unanimously, in its favor ; 
but in the north-western counties, quite as strong against it. 
Even before the war, such was the diversity of interests and feel- 
ings between the two sections, east and west, that the subject 
of a division had been contemplated. So soon as the ordinance 
of secession was passed, the people of the north-western coun- 
ties took immediate steps for the formation of a new State. A 
convention was assembled, a new constitution was formed for a 
State government, which was adopted by the people, and State 
officers chosen. Application having been made to Congress, 
West Virginia was formally received into the Uuion, June 20, 
1863. 

NEVADA- 

Nevada, taken from Western Utah, was formed into a territory 
in 1861, and was admitted into the Union in 1864. It is bound- 
ed by California, on the west, and is on the eastern declivity of 
the Sierra Nevada range of mountains. With the exception of 
Carson Valley, and some few other tracts, almost the whole 
country, like other mineral regions, is a barren desert, with a 
scanty supply of wood and water. The discovery of the Washoe 
silver mines, in 1859, first brought this region into notice. The 
first year after the discovery, Virginia City (200 miles east of 
San Francisco) sprung up at this place, with more than one 
thousand houses, and a population of 4,000. Previous to the 
summer of 1859, there was not one thousand inhabitants in all 
of Nevada, In 1864, her population was estimated at 60,000, 
and her mineral productions in that year amounted to thirty 
millions of dollars. Besides gold and silver, Nevada produces 
iron, lead, copper, coral, &c. 

NEBRASKA. 

Nebraska was organized as a territory, with Kansas, in 1854, 
and was admitted into the Union as a State in 1867. It is the 
starting point and highway for travel westward over the plains ; 
and being an agricultural and stock-raising country, her lands 
are much sought after by emigrants. Omaha City, the capital, 
is situated on the banks of the Missouri. In ]854, there was 
not a single dwelling on the spot; but in 1866, it had an esti- 
mated population of 9,000, with fine prospects for the future. 






407 

WASHINGTON. 

Washington is the extreme north-western part of the United 
States, and in 1853, was formed a territory, from the north part 
of Oregon. The Cascade mountains, which cross Washington 
Territory from north to south, are a continuation of the Sierra 
Nevada's. Olympia, the capital, is a small village situated on 
the westernmost elbow of Puget Sound, which is a great net- 
work of arms, straits, and inlets, affording more harbors than 
any other part of the world of equal extent. The population of 
the territory, in 1863, was 12,519. 

NEW MEXICO. 

New Mexico was first visited by the Catholic missionaries in 
1581. A colony was established in 1595, and after many con- 
flicts, the Spaniards conquered the country. Upon the commence- 
ment of the difficulties between the United States and Mexico, 
orders were issued to Col. Kearney, in May, 1846, to make a 
movement on New Mexico. This force consisted of eighteen 
hundred men, part of whom were Mormons, who were about 
emigrating to California. Upon the approach of the Americans, 
Gov. Armijo called a council of war, in which his principal offi- 
cers advised a retreat, which advice was followed. On August 
18th, Gen. Kearney took possession of Santa Fe, and caused the 
oath of allegiance to be taken to the American government 

UTAH. 

Utah derives its name from an Indian tribe, and was, origin- 
ally, a part of the Mexican territory of Upper California. The 
first fur- trading establishment in Utah was made in 1824. In 
1847 the Mormons began to emigrate to Utah. In 1848, the 
Mormons began to remove their families to the valley of the 
Great Salt Lake. In 1859, Utah was erected into a Territory, 
by Congress. Its population is estimated at upwards of 88,000, 
mostly Mormons. 

DAKOTA. 

Dakota formerly comprised the western part of Minnesota, 
and was organized into a territory in 1861. Pembina, the prin- 
cipal town of the territory, was settled by Scotch emigrants un- 
der Lord Selkirk. On running the boundary line, afterwards, 
Pembina was found to be within the limits of the United States. 

COLORADO. 

Colorado was formed into a territory in 1861. It was named 
from the Colorado river. Pike's Peak, the most striking object 



40S 

within its limits, rises 10,600 feet above the level of the plains, and 
18,600 above the level of the sea. Colorado derives its import- 
ance from its mineral deposits. Pike's Peak received its name 
from its discoverer, Capt. Z. M. Pike, in 1806. Denver, the prin- 
cipal city, was founded in 1858, and in 1860 had a population of 
5,000. In 1864, the whole population was estimated at 32.000. 

IDAHO. 

Idaho is situated west of the Rocky Mountains, and east of 
Oregon and Washington Territory. It was formed in 1863, from 
the territories of Washington, Nebraska, and Dakota. Its cap- 
ital is Boise City, a trading but not a mining city. Idaho has 
already produced much gold and silver; her yield for 1865, be- 
ing about eight millions of dollars. Population about 25,000. 

MONTANA. 

Montana was, originally, a part of Idaho, and was formed a 
territory in 1864. It is bounded on the north by the British 
possessions. The Rocky Mountains and their foot hills occupy 
the western and central parts, and within its limits are the head 
waters of the Columbia River, of Oregon, and those of the main 
Missouri, and its great branch, the Yellow Stone. The Bannock 
or Grass-hopper mines were discovered in 1862. Bannock City 
is at present the most populous town in the territory. 

ARIZONA. 

This tract, between Utah on the north and Mexico on the 
south, was formed into a territory in 1S54, being purchased from 
Mexico. It contained, in 1854, but few inhabitants, mostly Mex- 
icans, residing mostly in Mesilla valley, on the Rio Grande, and 
in the old town of Tueson, near the center of the purchase. The 
Apache Indians had gradually extirpated all traces of civilization 
of what was once an inhabited Mexican province. Arizona is 
distinguished, principally, for its silver mines, which form the 
north-western extension of the great silver region of Mexico, 
which is the richest in the world. 

ALASKA. 

Alaska, or what has been known as Russian America, is esti- 
mated to contain 481,216 square miles. This territory was pur- 
chased from the Russians in 1867 for $7,200,000 in gold, and 
was formally delivered to the United States Government, Oct. 
18th. There is supposed to be about 56,000 inhabitants; 6,000 
Russians, and 50,000 Indians. 



Walte A lomes of Jesus : 

BY 

REV. DANIEL MARCH, D. D. 

PHILADELPHIA. 

1 Vol. Square.* 8 vo. 340 pp. . 

Pica Type on Tinted Taper ; English Muslin ; Gilt 

Edges ; Side Stamp ; Beveled Boards ; and 

Elegant Illustrations. Enlarged 

and Improved. 



SOLD 3Y SUBSCRIPTION 



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sectarianism. 

Among the numerous patrous, are Members of Con- 
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all ranks, and their universal testimony is " That for 
unflagging interest, pathos and style of composition, it 
is not surpassed by any of the contributions to Religious 
Literature." 

Distinguished Travelers to the Holy Land pronounce 

this the most correct and interesting history of that 

country. 

Agents wanted for the above, and other publications, 

in all parts of the country. 

We pay liberal Premiums to any one sending us 

Agents. 

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D.. E. FISK & CO. 

PUBLISHERS, 

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. 



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Walks 



REV. DANIEL MARCH, D. D. 

PHILADELPHIA. 

l Vol. Square, s vo. 340 pp. 

Pica Type on Tinted Taper ; English Muslin ; Gilt 

Edges ; Side Stamp ; Beveled Boards ; and 

Elegant Illustrations. Enlarged 

and Improved. 

SOLD BY SUBSCRIPTION. 

This is truly a Household Book, as it is well adapt- 
ed to all times and classes, and is entirely free from 
sectarianism. 

Among the numerous patrous, are Members of Con- 
gress, Governors, Clergymen and Professional men of 
all ranks, and their universal testimony is " That for 
unflagging interest, pathos and style of composition, it 
is not surpassed by any of the contributions to Religious 
Literature." 

Distinguished Travelers to the Holy Land pronounce 

this the most correct and interesting history of that 

country. 

Agents wanted for the above, and other publications, 

in all parts of the country. 

We pay liberal Premiums to any one sending us 

Agents. 

D. E. FISK &c CO., 

Springfield, Mass. 




D. E. FISK & CO, 

PUBLISHERS, 

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. 



Our Publications are sold only by Canvassing 
Agents, 



Agents of many years' experience find our works as 
acceptable, cheap and rapid selling as any in the field. 

Persons wishing to engage permanently, Profession- 
al men and Students during their vacations, or any one 
— male or female — will find it to their interest to ap- 
ply for terms and territory, before engaging elsewhere. 

We do not advertise that Agents can make twenty 
or thirty dollars a day, (for that we do not believe,) 
but with diligence, and courtesy to the public, we think 
Agents can do as well with our publications as with 
any, and we shall continue to issue new works to sup- 
ply the demand. 

We pay liberal Premiums to any one sending us 
Agents. 



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